- 1). Visit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) website. Complete an electronic application on or after January 1st of the year of your enrollment in a college, university or trade school. Enter all required information, including your full name, Social Security number and date of birth.
- 2). Answer questions about the college you will be attending. Provide your income level using a previous year's W-2 form or other tax document. FAFSA will notify you of any federal grant programs you qualify to enter. Such programs include the Federal Pell Grant, which offers undergraduate students two consecutive maximum awards of up to $5,550 in a year, and the Federal Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grant, which provides up to $4,000 to undergraduates with exceptional financial need.
- 3). Contact the school you might attend. Ask about private grants that are available to first year and continuing students. Provide any additional information as requested and comply with all application deadlines.
- 4). Find additional grant programs using the Financial Aid Resource Publications from the U.S. Department of Education. Download the online resource for free by visiting the U.S. Department of Education's website. Search the publication for grant aid and apply as directed.
- 5). Search a grant directory for specialized grants. Specialized grants may be available to military children, volunteers, minority groups and prospective teachers. Visit the Students.gov website and search for grant opportunities by category, program or aid type.
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