How to Apply for a Grant for Free
If you are trying to get grants, you should know that it is always free to apply for a grant from the US government. Moreover, you don't have to pay the grant money back and you don't have to pay taxes on it either. While it may sound like free money, however, it is not exactly a walk in the park to actually qualify for and get a grant. The infomercials and scammers make it sound that way so they can sell you their grant kits - don't fall for that. But don't just assume that you won't qualify for any grant without researching the possibilities.
This article will show you how to apply for a federal government grant for free. However, federal government grants handled through grants.gov is only one type of government assistance available. Be sure to read an article "How to Get Grants" to learn about various other sources of government assistance, as well as check other links in the resource section for more grant and other financial assistance information.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Go to grants.gov and click on "Find Grant Opportunities" at the top left of the page. You can browse available grants using basic search, by category, by specific government agency or use an advanced search option.
If you are an individual, it's easy to get overwhelmed as it may seem that most grants are not designated for individuals, but state/city governments, education districts, businesses, etc. In such a case, use advanced search option and be sure to check "Individuals" option in the "Search by Eligibility" box.
Finding a grant you are eligible to apply for is not easy, and if you don't find one right away, check back later - new grants become available frequently. -
2
Check the "Applicant Resources Section" at grants.gov as well. You will find all kinds of information and tutorials on grants - how to search for grants more effectively, how to use application package, how to answer questions in the application more effectively, etc.
A lot of websites just repackage this information and try to sell it to you for a hefty fee. And, after buying a so called grant application kit, you would most likely end up doing all the work by yourself anyway.
So be smart, don't pay for what you can get for free. -
-
3
Be sure to spend a good amount of time browsing the grant opportunities - you want to find all the grants you may qualify for. Write down the number for any grant you are eligible to apply for.
-
4
If you find a grant you would like to apply for, register at the grants.gov website. You need to do that in order to submit an application.
-
5
Click on "Apply for Grants" button on the left of the grants.gov page and begin the process by downloading the application package. You will be asked to enter the grant number because each grant will have different application. You will need Adobe Reader (available for free online) in order to use the package.
-
6
Follow the instructions in the downloaded package to complete your application. This is the hardest part of the whole process. If you have questions about completing the application, call the point of contact listed in the application of the particular grant (grants.gov won't be able to answer questions pertaining to specific grants).
Be sure to save often so you don't lose your hard work. -
7
Submit your application - the submit button is located on the cover page of the application. As long as you are connected on the internet, your application will be uploaded to grants.gov automatically.
-
8
Wait and hope - it might take a few months to hear back. You can track your application at grants.gov by clicking on "Track Your Application". Also remember that you can apply for as many grants as you like, so apply for as many as you can.
Good luck!
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check the resource links below for some helpful info on applying for grants and other ways of surviving the recession.
Resources
- Grant Writing For Dummies
- The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need
- How to Get a Free Donated Car
- How to Get a Donated Computer
- How to Get Grants
- How to Get Education Grants
- How to Get Stimulus Jobs
- How to Get Out of Credit Card Payments
- How to Finance Your Education Without Student Loans
- How to Get Paid to Go to Graduate School
- Photo Credit Public Domain
