If you are considering college, you should definitely consider finding all of the government grants you can to help cover your college expenses. The best thing about grants of all kinds is that they are free money that you don’t have to repay. Using grants to pay for college is a great strategy so that you don’t wind up with a lot of debt that has to be repaid after finishing school.

One of the best government grants is the Pell grant program. The Pell grant is given to low income students who otherwise might not have been able to find the money to pay for college. The criteria to qualify are strictly based on income and assets, like savings. Applying for a Pell grant is very easy and starts with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be filled out online or you can get a print version from your school. To ensure you receive the most grant money possible, be sure to apply before your state’s deadline.

After you apply using the FAFSA, you should get the results sent to your school. Once your school has this information, they will also help you qualify for other college grants that may be available to you. Many colleges and universities have their own grants specific to the school, so check with your financial aid office. There may be other education grants which you may qualify for through service groups and community organizations. If you are a member of a fraternal group or other club, check with them as well for grant opportunities.

Other government grants may also be open to you from your state or local government. Because your school may not automatically help you apply for these, you should investigate and apply on your own. Grant opportunities are literally everywhere, it just takes some time and effort on your part to locate and apply.

Applying for government grants is a great way to help ensure you will have enough money to pay for college. The important thing is to start looking as early as possible for grants. In addition, file the FAFSA well before your state’s deadline because there are always more students in need of Pell grants than there are monies available. After that, be sure to research your local government and state grant opportunities as well so that you get the most money possible. Remember, the more money you receive in grants, the less you have to worry about paying yourself.