Grants for Private Schools

Grants for private school, be it pre-college or college, differ from loans in that they do not have to be paid back. They are awarded based on a formula used to calculate the amount of money a family may receive. Since grant money usually comes from a school's budget, there will be other specific qualifications that have been established by the awarding institution. For some families, the amount and availability of grant money will play a major factor in determining which school they'll choose. Private schools will often have specific grant dollars set aside for specific cases, such as children of war veterans, children of single parents or children of a specific ethnic heritage. Use the web to search for grants for private schools. You'll find private foundations that offer all types of grants and you can narrow the search by state. If your child has special needs, search for grants in that category.

Where to Start Looking

Do research on the web to find private schools you may already be familiar with or to search for others by geographical region or academic specialties. For pre-college private schools, you'll most like want to search for those near your home.
Search using key words, "private schools + city + grants or scholarships." If you are of ethnic background, search by ethnicity, such as "private schools + grants + Italian American." The more specific you can be in your search, the less time it will take to read through the numerous hits, some of which make false claims for government funding for private schools. In those cases, be sure to find out if the grants are available to families or the schools themselves.

Grants Based on Merit and Siblings

If your child has a high GPA, inquire about grants based on merit. You will need to provide a history of grades, teacher recommendations and proof of extra-curricular activities as competition for these types of grants is high. If more than one child from the same family is attending the same school, there may be grant opportunities available. Also, inquire about reduced tuition based on the number of children attending the same school from one family.

Grants for Specific Family Situation

Private grants are available to students who meet requirements based on ethnic heritage or family situation. For example, there are grants available for children of Italian heritage, children of adoptive parents or children from single (or only) parent homes. Ask the financial aid office about these opportunities if your family situation is unusual. Or ask for a complete list of grant opportunities, as your family may fall into one of these categories of which you might not be aware.

Government and Federal Grants

When doing your research, you'll come across websites and ads for free government money for private schools. Most government funding available to private schools is for programs and technology, not individual grants. Keep in mind that grants for private schools almost always come from private sources, usually private foundations and the school itself.

Things to Keep in Mind

Have all of your financial information on hand prior to completing grant applications, including tax returns for at least three years. Meet all application deadlines, as competition for these grants is high. If the application deadline falls prior to the date you'll file your tax return for that year, you can usually submit a previous year's return and then submit the current year's return when you file. Be sure to check with the financial aid office about this or look on the application for this information.