Need-based and merit grants that never have to be repaid. We verified 3 federal grants and 49 state grants across 49 states and DC on official agency sites. Most start with the FAFSA.
Who qualifies: Undergraduates with exceptional financial need who have not earned a bachelor's degree. Amount depends on your Student Aid Index, cost of attendance and enrollment status. Does not have to be repaid.
How to apply: File the FAFSA each year; no separate application.
Deadline: Rolling — file the FAFSA as early as possible each year; schools and states set earlier priority dates.
Who qualifies: Undergraduates with exceptional financial need (priority to Pell recipients). Not every college participates, and funds run out — apply early.
How to apply: File the FAFSA early and check your college's financial aid deadlines.
Deadline: First-come at each college — each school sets its own deadline for campus-based aid.
Who qualifies: Students in TEACH-eligible programs preparing to teach a high-need field at a low-income school; generally a 3.25 GPA or above-75th-percentile test score. Requires a 4-year teaching service obligation or the grant converts to a loan with interest.
How to apply: File the FAFSA, complete TEACH counseling and sign the Agreement to Serve or Repay at a participating school.
Deadline: Set by your college.
Who qualifies: Utah high school seniors meeting academic and course requirements, attending a USHE institution.
How to apply: Submit the USHE Opportunity Scholarship application and the FAFSA.
Deadline: Priority Jan 29, 2027; final March 18, 2027 (Class of 2027).
Who qualifies: New Jersey residents with financial need at approved New Jersey colleges.
How to apply: File the FAFSA or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application.
Deadline: New applicants: Sept 15 (fall & spring) or Feb 15 (spring only); renewals: April 15.
Who qualifies: Idaho residents with financial need attending an eligible Idaho college; renewable up to four years.
How to apply: Submit the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship application and the FAFSA.
Deadline: March 1
Who qualifies: Maryland residents eligible for in-state tuition, enrolled full-time at an eligible Maryland college, with financial need.
How to apply: File the FAFSA or MHEC One-App by March 1, listing a Maryland college, and create an MDCAPS account.
Deadline: March 1
Who qualifies: California residents (or AB540 students) meeting GPA, income and asset limits, attending a qualifying California college.
How to apply: File the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and make sure your GPA is submitted. No separate application.
Deadline: March 2 priority deadline (September 2 for California Community College students).
Who qualifies: Indiana residents with financial need enrolled full-time at an eligible Indiana college; completing 30+ credits a year earns the maximum.
How to apply: File the FAFSA by April 15.
Deadline: April 15
Who qualifies: Mississippi residents meeting minimum GPA/ACT requirements, enrolled full-time at an approved Mississippi college.
How to apply: File the FAFSA and the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP).
Deadline: September 15 (application window opens October 1).
Always confirm on the official site. Grant amounts, deadlines and rules change every year and depend on state funding. We list only grants we confirmed on the administering agency's official page and show the date we last checked. We are not affiliated with any government agency.
Grants are usually need-based and come from the federal government, your state or your college. Scholarships are often merit-based and come from private sponsors. Neither has to be repaid.
For almost every grant on this site, the first step is the free FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Many states use the FAFSA alone; some add a short state application. File as early as you can — many state grants are first-come, first-served.
As soon as it opens for the year. Federal Pell has a late federal deadline, but state grants and college aid often have early priority dates or run out of money.
Generally no. A grant may have to be repaid if you withdraw early, and the TEACH Grant becomes a loan if you don't complete its teaching service requirement.
Every week our checker re-opens each official grant page and flags changes for review. Each grant shows its last verified date. Last site update: Oct 15, 2026.