Student Grants: University Funding Options For You

University can be expensive, but grants can help students pay for their education without having to be paid back. Grants are usually awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, or other special circumstances. In some countries, such as Canada and the UK, the government offers student grants to full-time and part-time students to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and living expenses. These grants are typically assessed based on financial need and may have additional criteria such as residency or family income thresholds. Additionally, universities, charities, and businesses may also offer grants with specific eligibility criteria. It is important to note that grant availability and eligibility criteria can vary depending on the country and region, so students should research the options available in their specific location.

Student grants for full-time students

Full-time students can receive grants and loans to help pay for their post-secondary education. Grants are typically awarded based on financial need and do not need to be paid back, making them an attractive option for students seeking financial aid.

Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students

The Canada Student Grant is available to full-time students in financial need. This grant is offered by the Government of Canada in collaboration with most provincial or territorial governments. To be eligible, you must demonstrate financial need, be enrolled full-time in a qualified program at a designated school, and have a total family income below the specified income threshold. The grant amount can be up to $4,200 per year or $525 per month of study for each year of your undergraduate studies, as long as you remain a full-time student.

Application Process

You can apply for the Canada Student Grant through your province or territory of residence. When you submit your application, you will be automatically assessed for eligibility, and the grant amount will be calculated. It is important to note that this grant is not available to students from the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Quebec, as these jurisdictions have their own student aid programs.

Additional Grants

In addition to the Canada Student Grant, there are other grants available for full-time students with specific circumstances, such as those with dependents, those with disabilities, and those enrolled in doctoral studies. These grants can provide additional financial support to help students succeed in their academic pursuits.

Student grants offer valuable financial assistance to full-time students, helping to alleviate the financial burden of post-secondary education. By taking advantage of these grant opportunities, students can focus on their studies and achieve their educational goals.

Student grants for part-time students

Part-time students in the UK may be eligible for a grant or a tuition fee loan to help with the costs of studying. The eligibility for grants depends on the income of the student and that of their partner. There is no age limit for this support.

If you are studying at least 50% of a comparable full-time course, you may be entitled to a grant towards your fees and course costs. The amount of grant money you can receive depends on the intensity of your course. In 2024-2025, the maximum course grant is £265 and does not depend on how intensive your course is.

If you are studying at least 25% of a comparable full-time course, you may be eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £3,562.50 in 2024-2025. The loan amount cannot be more than the actual fee charged by your university or college. The maximum amount of loan entitlement will be reduced by any grant money received.

In Canada, there is a separate grant for part-time students. You could be eligible for this grant if you are in financial need, are a part-time student in a qualified program at a designated school, and your total family income is less than the income threshold. Until the end of the 2024-2025 school year, you could receive up to $4,200 per year or up to $525 per month of study.

Student grants for students with dependants

There are student grants available for students with dependants in Canada and the UK.

Canada

The Canada Student Grant is available to full-time and part-time students with dependants who are in financial need. You are automatically assessed for this grant when you apply for student aid with your province or territory. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• You have a financial need
• You are a full-time or part-time student in a qualified program at a designated school
• You have a dependant under 12 years old at the beginning of the study period, or over 12 years old with a permanent disability
• Your total family income is less than the income threshold

The income thresholds for grant eligibility are based on the previous year's gross annual family income and family size. The amount you could receive until the end of the 2024-2025 school year is up to $280 for each month you are in school, or up to $2,240 per year, for each dependant. This is in addition to your full-time student grant.

UK

The UK government offers a grant for adult dependants. Although there are no further details provided, the website lists funding for students with learning difficulties, health problems, or disabilities.

Nova Scotia, Canada

The Nova Scotia Student Grant offers funding for high-need students with dependants. High need is defined as a student's calculated need being greater than $275 per week of study. The maximum amount of this grant is $20 per week of study.

Student grants for students with disabilities

There are several grants available for students with disabilities to help cover the costs of tuition, supplies, and other expenses. These grants can be offered by national organisations and associations, colleges and universities, or federal governments.

National Organisations and Associations

National organisations and associations often sponsor grants for students with disabilities. For example, in the United States, there is the National Federation for the Blind, which offers scholarships and grants to visually impaired students. The Billy Barty Foundation also provides annual grants for students with medical dwarfism, and the Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship Foundation offers scholarships and grants based on financial need and academic achievement.

Colleges and Universities

Many colleges and universities offer grants and scholarships for students with disabilities. For instance, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a dedicated division for disability resources and educational services, and Wayne State University provides financial, instructional, and personal assistance for students with disabilities.

Additionally, some institutions of higher learning specialise in providing educational opportunities for students with disabilities, such as Landmark College, which offers financial aid services including grants and scholarships for students with learning difficulties.

Federal Grants

Federal governments also provide financial aid programs for students with disabilities. In the United States, the Federal TRIO Programs offer education grants for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the Pell Grant is open to students from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities.

Other Sources of Funding

Other sources of funding for students with disabilities include state governments and private organisations. For example, in North Carolina, there are multiple funding sources available through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provides funding for students with disabilities from ages 3 through 21.

Overall, there are a variety of grants and scholarships available to help students with disabilities cover the costs of their education. These financial resources can help ensure that students with disabilities have the support they need to pursue their academic goals and succeed in higher education.

Student grants for international students

International students who wish to study in the United States can apply for grants and scholarships to help fund their education. While financial aid programs for international students are less extensive than those available to US citizens, there are still a variety of grants dedicated to supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the US. These grants are highly competitive and are usually awarded to students with excellent academic merit and financial need.

• Fulbright Grants for Foreign Students: The Fulbright Education Exchange Program is supported and administered by the US Department of State. Fulbright offers a range of highly competitive merit-based grants for foreign students studying in the United States. Most Fulbright grants provide funding for round-trip transportation, monthly stipends, and full or partial tuition. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program provides financial assistance to international graduate students, young professionals, and artists pursuing research or studies for a year or more at an accredited US college or university. The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program provides funding for foreign students pursuing a degree in teaching English as a foreign language, encouraging them to immerse themselves in American culture and customs.
• AAUW Grants for International Students: The American Association of University Women sponsors the annual AAUW International Fellowship for women in 116 countries, providing funding for graduate and Master's degrees at US colleges and universities. Recipients are chosen based on academic merit and a demonstrated commitment to advancing women and girls in their home countries.
• University Grants: Many American colleges and universities offer grants for international students. For example, the University of Cincinnati sponsors grants for foreign nationals pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees at their campus. Columbia College in Missouri offers the Columbia International Award and the International Excellence Award to freshman and transfer students who are foreign nationals. Lewis and Clark University in Portland provides the Davis United World Scholarship, which is based on financial need and academic merit, and eligible students may receive up to $10,000 in financial aid.
• Country-Specific Scholarships: There are also scholarships specifically for students from certain countries, such as the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship for students from select developing countries, Conacyt scholarships for Mexican students, and ColFuturo scholarships for Colombian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad.
• Other Scholarships: Other notable scholarships include the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program, which provides comprehensive financial support to students from developing countries applying for development-related Master's programs, and the MPOWER Financing Global Citizen Scholarship Program, which offers broad eligibility criteria and niche scholarships for international and DACA students.

Websites like IEFA, International Student, Fastweb, Buddy4Study, and Edukasyon provide searchable databases of grants, scholarships, and loan programs for international students, making it easier for students to find opportunities to help fund their education.

Frequently asked questions