How to Find Out What Government Grants a Person Qualifies For

The U.S. government awards over $450 billion dollars in grant money each year. While the majority of this money is granted to federal agencies and non-profit organizations, some is earmarked to assist individuals. The big question for most people is: How do I qualify for all that free money? There are a number of opportunities to obtain grants to help with education, health, business and housing. The following resources will help you find what's available and enable you to apply for qualifying grants.

Instructions

Getting Started

1. 

   Check out GovBenefits.gov (See References 1). This is a kind of "catch all" site where you can target your search by category: career development, disability needs, disaster relief and education. This site pulls up various agencies that provide grants, loans or scholarships. To get the most out of the site, take the questionnaire provided. The questions are designed to match you with the right programs. Be prepared to sit for at least 30-40 minutes to complete the questionnaire. When you have answered all the questions, the site will provide you with a list of programs based on your responses. Print the list because you won't be able to save it. Peruse the programs on your list and make notes. If you qualify, plan to contact the agencies and keep a record of phone conversations and correspondence. Subscribe to the email list to get updates on grant benefit programs.

2. 

   Register with Grants.gov (See References 2). This site lists over 1,000 federal grant programs and offers grants for individuals, businesses, government organizations and non-profits. The grants for individuals are limited in number, but it's worth a try to find out what your options are as a grant seeker.

3. 

   Visit Hud.gov (See Resources 1). This is the official website for the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development. While HUD does not offer grants directly to individuals, they do work in tandem with local and government entities and non-profits to secure affordable options for individuals seeking to buy, build and repair homes. Counseling on mortgage programs, housing choice vouchers (Section 8), home improvement help, and information on The American Dream Down Payment act are also available.

4. 

   Try Ed.gov, the official U.S. Department of Education site, if you are looking for education assistance (See References 2). On the right side of the page you will see "How do I find...". The first link will take you to a list of grant opportunities to apply for. The site has resources for educators, students and parents concerning testing, scholarships, fellowships, research and educational programs. The U.S. Department of Education offers grants for students and adults who wish to attend college. Complete the free online application for Federal Student Aid which is linked from the site. The site also offers information on discretionary grant application packages which are listed by closing date. For more information about the aid you may be eligible for in the form of grants, loans and work study, click on the FAFSA link on the page marked: Grants>>Money For College. Also, visit Michigan State University's site for grant opportunities (See Resources 3). The MSU site has a diverse list of grants for individual grant seekers including: grants for minorities, veterans, disabled and non-traditional students. The grants are grouped by subject interest and are very easy to navigate.

5. Try the Small Business Association website (See Resources 4). The SBA does not offer grants for start-ups but there are some grant programs that are offered to expand or enhance organizations which specialize in small business management, technical and financial areas. Typically, these grants serve non-profits, intermediary lending institutions and state/local governments. The site provides links to other government agencies that offer grants. In addition, your local SBA offers micro-loan programs which are available for individuals and small businesses. Click on the Afterschool.gov link under the grants link on the SBA site. They have information on obtaining funding to start after school programs and links to other agencies that offer free help with learning grant writing skills.

Tips & Warnings

• Read trade journals and magazines or subscribe to blogs and newsletters in your area of interest or industry. The writers of these publications spend a great amount of time doing research on grants and other unique types of funding.

• Be cautious of companies asking for money to give you information about obtaining government grants. This information is free. Grants are given for specific reasons and always involve an application process. Your best bet is to go directly to the government agency website and research the grants available.

References

• GovBenefits.gov
• Grants.gov
• Foundation Center

Resources

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• U.S. Department of Education
• Michigan State University: Grants