Do you have an appealing idea for a business that will help stimulate the economy? Perhaps you are in agriculture and have discovered a better way to grow crops without using an abundance of chemicals. Or maybe you want to become a homeowner but just can't come up with the typical 20% down that most lenders require. Whatever the situation might be, the United States government might have a grant option that is relevant to you.
Government grants are offered nationally, state-wide, and even locally and are intended to benefit a project of some design. And a grant is a gift, with no repayment terms. More than 1,000 grants are extended each year in the United States for public services and economic stimulation. But grants won't just come to you; you need to seek them out and apply.
Federal grant-making agencies include (but are not necessarily limited to):
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC)
- U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
- U.S. Department of Education (ED)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
- U.S. Department of State (DOS)
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
- U.S. Department of the Treasury (TREAS)
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
Be sure to take time to understand your eligibility before getting too deep into a grant application. If you are not legally-eligible, you will waste yourself a considerable amount of time, and will set yourself up for disappointment.
Government grants for small business
If you are a small business in need of funding, it might be worthwhile looking into any grants that your business would be eligible. A great place to start is on the U.S. Small Business Administration website. This website is also a great place to understand how the government defines small business, and you will save yourself a considerable amount of time before entering into an application process if you do not qualify. Grants are generally available for research and development and export development. Additionally, grants are more widely available for other uses such as non-profits and educational institutions. So, if your small business is academically related or is in the non-profit space, be sure to look into options.
This article from Fundera provides a wealth of information on various small business grants. The report lists the following top 10 small business grants for 2019:
- Small Business Innovation Research Program
- Small Business Technology Transfer Program
- Rural Business Enterprise Grant
- FedEx Small Business Grant
- Eileen Fisher Grant for Women
- Chase Mission Main Street Grant
- Visa Everywhere Initiative
- LendingTree's Small Business Grant Contest
- Wells Fargo Community Investment Program
- InnovateHER Women Business Challenge
When exploring grants, and if accepted, be sure that you are clear on how, where, when, and what your grant money can be used for. Different from a loan, grants are often particular on how those funds can be utilized.
Government grants for women
If you are a female business owner and entrepreneur, you may be eligible for a small-business grant. An excellent place to start is by reviewing the grants.gov website. The site is a database of federally-sponsored grants, and you can filter your research specific to small business. To access the system, you will need your DUNS number, which is a unique nine-digit business identifier, issued by Dun & Bradstreet. This number identifies you as unique from any other organization and is used globally to identify information about your business. If you do not yet have a DUNS number, you can register for one on the Dun & Bradstreet website. Issuance of a DUNS number generally takes about 30 days.
This article by Nerd Wallet shares a variety of key points on where to look for government grants for women and is a great secondary place to start your search. Be sure also to review the grants listed earlier in this article under government grants for small business, as many are geared towards women.
If you are a single mother, you may be eligible for a grant for single mothers. Many single mothers aspire for higher education, for better job opportunities, and even to start their own businesses, but don't have the financial means to pursue and maybe don't know where to look for help. And as there really is no set amount for a grant, the right grant can help single mothers get on their way to achieving their dream. This article from Single Mothers, while it doesn't provide a specific list of grants, offers some suggestions on where to look. This Single Mothers Grants site provides links to grants that can help with rent, utility payments, and additional government financial help.
Government grants for housing
If you are struggling to come up with the necessary down-payment, this doesn't mean that your dreams of becoming a homeowner need to go out the window. There are a variety of grant programs available for first-time home buyers. This article from Student Loan Hero (don't let the website name confuse you) provides a list of grants available for people that can't come up with the standard 20% down.
Each program comes with different requirements, so it is essential to research this thoroughly. You can also consider having a conversation with a trusted mortgage lender who will likely have access to various grant programs and can advise you on whether or not you are a candidate for qualification.
Spend some time reviewing the information on the Grants.gov website which provides information on what might be available to you through HUD, whose mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes. The site can adequately explain to you grant policies, eligibility, and critical terminology as well as provide insight into the grant-making agencies and programs available.
Government grants for college
It's no doubt that the college application process can be stressful. But, in addition to loans to help you finance your way through college, you may also be eligible for a student grant. Different from loans that are awarded to students based on need and merit, grants are awarded strictly on need. Grants can be based on religion, ethnicity, gender, or a variety of other factors. And grants don't need to be paid back.
The first step in looking for a college grant is the completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA process is a critical part of the college application process, and the FAFSA period generally opens in January of each year, for the coming academic year. The FAFSA application is completed each year and typically takes one to three hours to complete (a bit less for students after their first year).
Colleges begin working on financial aid packages for students in January or February of each year and then start issuing financial aid letters in March and April. Then, students will usually have until May 1 to decide whether or not to accept a package from a particular college or university; this day is often referred to as Decision Day.
Many people confuse the FAFSA process with an actual loan or grant, and completion of the FAFSA is not a guarantee of either. However, the FAFSA is simply the process that you must undertake so that colleges and the government can best determine the aid package that is right for you.
Here is a list of some of the most common forms of college-based grants:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Academic Competitiveness Grants
- National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- TEACH Grants
These are the most common and are awarded exclusively on financial need. These grants do not consider your grades, extra-curricular activities, etc.
These grants offer between $750 and $1300 per academic year and are based on a minimum GPA (grade point average) of 3.0, and the types of courses you have taken. Ideally, to be considered for one of these grants you will have successfully completed honors, AP (advanced placement), or college-level courses while in high school.
This grant, based on merit and need, is available to college juniors and seniors.
This grant is available to students whose parent or guardian lost their life as a result of military service in Afghanistan or Iraq, after September 11, 2001.
These grants are specifically for students who demonstrate a high degree of financial hardship and need.
These grants are for students who plan to or are willing to teach in high-need fields and/or low-income geographies.
This site from Education Connection can help you work through the various college grants that you might be eligible for.
Government Grants for First-Time Home Buyers
Buying your first home can be very exciting. But purchasing a home can also be a very emotional and stressful experience, and it is easy to let your eagerness guide your decision making. There are a lot of mistakes that first-time home buyers make, and so it is essential to be thinking through the process to make sure that this exciting time doesn't become one full of regrets or future financial strife.
Before looking at houses, a good approach is to meet with a mortgage lender to best understand what you can afford. And keep in mind that what you can afford might not be the same as the amount you qualify for in a loan. In fact, many people are surprised that they are eligible for far more than anticipated.
But only you can decide whether or not you are comfortable taking on that mortgage payment. A good rule of thumb is that most people can comfortably afford to contribute 28 – 30% of their monthly income towards a mortgage.
You also want to consider what you can afford for a down-payment. Your mortgage lender will likely give you a minimum required amount to make, but if you can afford to put down more than the minimum, you should take the time to weigh out if that is a real possibility.
Ideally, you should put down the biggest down-payment possible, making sure you still have money for new homeowner expenses such as for outdoor spaces, any home repairs if purchasing a pre-existing home, furniture, and anticipated utility costs. By adding more to your down-payment, you will be able to either lower your monthly payment or reduce the interest paid over the lifetime of your loan; possibly both.
If through all of this you are finding that you just can't come up with the down-payment and having your own home feels like a stretch goal more than a reality, it might be time to see if you qualify for a first-time home buyer grant.
This article from The Lenders Network provides a list of ten first-time home buyer programs inclusive of loans and grants. However, a recommendation is to go directly to the HUD.gov website to find out what home buying assistance programs are available to you depending on where you live.
No matter what approach you take to explore the variety of grants available, make sure you do extensive homework so that you understand eligibility and use your time wisely during the application process. Don't discount either the value in speaking with a mortgage lender or representative from your financial institution that likely has guidance for you to consider as well.
How to get a government grant
Government grants are offered nationally, state-wide, and locally and are intended to benefit a project of some design. And a grant is a gift, with no repayment terms. More than 1,000 grants are extended each year in the United States for public services and economic stimulation.
Before you start the application process, take time to educate yourself on the grant process.
- A grant is a gift that can provide you with the financial means to do something that you could not do on your own. Consider specifically what you want the money for, and how you will use it. You can't use a grant to pay off credit card debt, so make sure that is not your strategy before beginning the research process.
- Identity grant sources and make a list of those that make sense for you. A list of federal grant-making agencies can be found here, and you should align your grant agency with the type of project you are proposing. Another great site is Grants.gov website. You can also find a recent article from April 2019 in Investopedia that provides a catalog of federal domestic assistance (CFDA).
- Make sure you are eligible. As the grant-application process is very time-consuming, do your homework in advance to make sure you are eligible. You can learn more about eligibility requirements here.
- Watch the various training videos and read the various articles on Grants.gov to make sure you are fully educated before beginning the application process. The Overview of the Application Process video is brief and will help prepare you for the application. Further, the Grants Learning Center will tell you how to register with Grants.gov, which is a critical step before completing the application process. In most cases, you will need to be registered before you can apply, and registration can take up to one week.
How to apply for government grants
Grants won't just come to you; you need to seek them out and apply. So, once you have identified relevant grants and have confirmed your eligibility, now is the time to start the grant application process. Because grants are a gift that do not require repayment and have strict rules on what does or does not qualify, the application process can be lengthy and tedious, and often times, applicants will hire freelancers to help write grant letters on their behalf.
- Watch the video on Grants.gov.
If you have not done so already, take the time to watch the video titled Overview of the Application Process. - Find and download the application.
Government applications are now available online which will aid in the submission process, but it is possible you will need to open documents from various links, so make sure that you obtain the complete package and understand the check list of what you need to complete and submit. Note too that you might need to create an account and if you did not do this yet, understand this can take up to one week, so be sure to build this into your timeline. - Complete the SF-424 form.
This is the government-wide standard form that must be completed for grant application packages. When completing an online form, be sure to save your work repeatedly. Think through the mission of your project and ensure that you are clearly articulating what you want the government to know. As mentioned, many applicants will turn to a freelance grant writer for support in this process. Grant writers can be found easily online at websites such as UpWork, Fiverr, and Writers.Work. Your application should include proper and compelling paragraphs plus supporting visuals to tell the story. Proofread your documents multiple times before submitting, and consider having someone else check your work. Ideally, you will be supported by someone with professional abilities in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. - Submit the application and any supporting documentation.
Note that the Grants.gov website does have a file size limit of 200 mb, so make sure you are compressing any visuals and files. Also, make sure that each file is uniquely and aptly named to prevent confusion and duplication during the review process. Make note of your tracking number when you submit the application (this will be sent to you via email) as you will need the confirmation information when following up on the application. - Check on the status of your application.
Over the course of the next couple of business days, you will be contacted by Grants.gov first to inform you that your application has been received, and later to inform you if it has been validated or rejected. If your application has been validated, you will again be contacted when your application is officially received by the appropriate agency. You may or may not then receive yet another email when the grantor agency has assigned their own independent tracking number to your application. You can monitor the status of your application anytime on the Grants.gov website by selecting Track My Application.
If your application was rejected, be sure to review the reasons why. If you were rejected for a reason you can overcome, be sure to address those issue and then start the application process again. But understand that most government grants do go to organizations over individuals. If you are simply not eligible or to meet the requirements, sign up to get notified when future grants become available. This is a good way to stay on top of future possibilities.
Throughout the process, be sure to remember once again that grants will not come to you. If you did not apply for a specific grant and you are contacted for more information, do not provide it. Also, if you are asked to pay for a grant application, then you should assume that the site is not legitimate. The government does not ask for an application fee for grant requests. Further, the only official website for federal grant-making agencies is www.Grants.gov. Educate yourself further about grant fraud and scams here.
Free government scholarships and grants
Government grants are offered nationally, state-wide, and even locally and are intended to benefit a project of some design.
The best part is a grant is a gift, with no repayment terms.
More than 1,000 grants are extended each year in the United States for public services and economic stimulation. But grants won't just come to you; you need to seek them out and apply.
Government scholarships and grants for college students
If you're a college student, you are a key demographic for government scholarships and grants. Different from loans that are awarded to students based on need and merit, grants are awarded strictly on need. Grants can be based on religion, ethnicity, gender, or a variety of other factors.
Whether you are going to be a first-year college student straight out of college, or you are an adult looking to attend college for the first time, or even return to college after spending some time in the workforce, the first step in looking for a government scholarship or grant is the completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA process is a critical part of the college application process, and the FAFSA period generally opens in January of each year, for the coming academic year. Colleges begin working on financial aid packages for students in January or February of each year and then start issuing financial aid letters in March and April. Then, students will usually have until May 1 to decide whether or not to accept a package from a particular college or university; this day is often referred to as Decision Day.
Do not confuse the FAFSA process with an actual loan or grant, and completion of the FAFSA is not a guarantee of either. The FAFSA process is simply what you must undertake so that colleges and the government can best determine the aid package that is right for you.
Here is a list of some of the most common forms of college-based grants:
- Federal Pell Grants
- Academic Competitiveness Grants
- National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- TEACH Grants
These are the most common and are awarded exclusively on financial need. These grants do not consider your grades, extra-curricular activities, etc.
These grants offer between $750 and $1300 per academic year and are based on a minimum GPA (grade point average) of 3.0, and the types of courses you have taken. Ideally, to be considered for one of these grants you will have successfully completed honors, AP (advanced placement), or college-level courses while in high school.
This grant, based on merit and need, is available to college juniors and seniors.
This grant is available to all students who may have lost a loved on (whether it be parent or legal guardian) due to service in the military in Afhanistan or Iraq post 9/11.
These grants are specifically for students who demonstrate a high degree of financial hardship and need.
These grants are for students who plan to or are willing to teach in high-need fields and/or low-income geographies, and grants are generally up to $4000.
This site from Education Connection can help you work through the various college grants that you might be eligible for.
Other government scholarships and grants
If you're not looking for a college scholarship or grant, there are other grants that might be appealing to you. Each year, the United States government offers a variety of financial assistance and grants to first-time home buyers, small businesses, and women.
If you are struggling to come up with the necessary down-payment for a home, this doesn't mean that you need to forego your dream of becoming a homeowner. There are a variety of grant programs available for first-time home buyers. It is recommended that you go directly to the HUD.gov website to find out what home buying assistance programs are available to you depending on where you live.
Top 10 first-time home buyer programs and grants
There are a variety of first-time home buyer programs that you will want to research before signing on with any lender. Below is a comprehensive list of the best programs available to you.
- HUD First-Time Home Buyer Programs
- FHA Home Loan Program – the most common program for first-time buyers
- USDA Loans
- VA loans
- 203k Rehab Loans – for pre-existing fixer-uppers
- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac government-sponsored programs
- Good Neighbor Next Door Program – for teachers, police officers, and firefighters
- HUD Dollar Home Program
- Homepath Mortgage – for those that plan to occupy the home as their primary mortgage (second homes do not qualify)
- Native American Direct Loan
If you are a small-business owner or looking to start a business, a great place to start is on the U.S. Small Business Administration website. This website is also a great place to understand how the government defines small business, and you will save yourself a considerable amount of time before entering into an application process if you do your research and learn you do not qualify.
Grants are generally available for research and development and export development. Additionally, grants are more widely available for other uses such as non-profits and educational institutions. So, if your small business is academically related or is in the non-profit space, be sure to look into these options.
Furthermore, if your business does not qualify for a small business grant, there are always funding programs that still may be available to you.
Small Business Grants You May Qualify For
- Grants for research and development
- Grants for exporting
- Grants for other uses (non profit, educational, etc)
Grants for Women
Female business owners and entrepreneurs may be eligible for a special type of small-business grant. An excellent place to start is by reviewing the grants.gov website. The site is a database of federally-sponsored grants, and you can filter your research specific to small business. To access the system, you will need your DUNS number, which is a unique nine-digit business identifier, issued by Dun & Bradstreet.
Single mothers might also be eligible for grants. Many single mothers aspire for higher education, for better job opportunities, and even to start their own businesses, but don't have the financial means to pursue and maybe don't know where to look for help. And as there really is no set amount for a grant, the right grant can help single mothers get on their way to achieving their dream.
Grants can range from help with rent, utility payments, and additional government financial help.
Top Grants for Women
- $16,000 Grant from Soroptimist International
- $27,000 Business Grant from The Amber Foundation
- $4000 SMART Grant from the Federal Government
- $1000 Small Business Cash Grant from Idea Cafe
- Up to $50,000 from the The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
