Not all students attend a four-year college and receive a Bachelor's degree. Some may go to community college while others continue their studies and receive a Master's degree, or even a Ph.D.
The good news is that grants are just as diversified as the degrees those students are working towards.
Student Grants by Degree
Associate Degree Student Grants
For some students, community college is the most economical way to receive a secondary education. But not everyone is aware that there are grants specifically designed for associate degrees. Grants for community college students are essentially the same as those for students attending a public or private university and are based both on merit and on financial need. Find out what grants are applicable at your community college's financial aid office.
Master's Degree Student Grants
You don't have to empty out your bank account to pursue an additional two, four or six more years of college. Some students don't have to pay a dime with the help of a variety of educational grants created for graduate level study. Many are degree-specific, and students pursuing certain fields may have more opportunities for grant support than others.
These awards will often take into account financial need, but many of them are based primarily on academic promise and performance. Read more about grants specifically for graduate degrees.
Law School Student Grants
Law school students looking for support will likely need to provide evidence of financial need or stand out at the top of their class academically. Female students and those of minority groups may be able to find additional grants that other students may not be applicable for. Start looking through your law school's financial aid office and check out The American Bar Association for other grants.
Ph.D. Student Grants
Colleges and universities of all types offer grants for doctoral students. Standards for these grants are high and the competition can be stiff. It is fairly typical that grants for doctoral students target a certain subject specialty. These types of grants are usually offered directly through your school.
TEACH Grant and Other Student Grants for Education Degrees
The TEACH Grant is one of the newest additions to the list of federal grants for specific degrees. The TEACH Grant, or Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant, was first awarded in the 2008-2009 academic year to students that plan to teach at elementary and secondary schools with students from low income families.
This is a pretty good grant as far as how much grant money is awarded. Eligible students can expect to receive up to $4,000 a year with a TEACH grant. The requirements are fairly specific so make sure you really intend to meet them before applying for a TEACH grant.
The U.S. Department of Education also recently gave out nearly 10 million dollars in federal grants as part of their Transition to Teaching program for institutions that will use the monies as incentives for student teachers. You can also search The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) for student teacher grants and scholarships.
Medical Doctorates and Nursing Degree Student Grants
Lots of medical and nursing associations dole out grants to worthy students every year. Some are for disadvantaged students, minorities or women, and some are awarded based on research studies.
The American Medical Student Association's Local Project Grants Program awards more than two dozen grants to student projects that focus on community-based medicine each year. Check out the National Institutes of Health for research grants. For nursing students, a good place to start looking is the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
How to apply for Federal Grants for College
The first step in applying for any federal grants or scholarships is to print out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, gather the required information and, head over to the FAFSA website to officially apply.