Before seeking foundation grants to help offset the costs of your higher education, you should pursue the following avenues:

• Learn about federal aid opportunities.
• Fill out the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to calculate an early estimate of your eligibility.
• Learn about state-level funding from your state's financial aid agency.
• Contact the financial aid office(s) at the school(s) you are considering.
• Explore scholarship sites.
• Ask about scholarships from other organizations in your personal and professional networks, like the office for your academic program or professional association(s) that you've joined.
• Local or regional alumni groups for the school(s) you are considering.
• Community, civic and religious organizations.
• Businesses or corporations that employ you, your parents, or your spouse.

Answer the questions in our scholarship worksheet before you start your research. Your answers will help you focus, suggest search terms that you can use, and help you find opportunities that you might not have considered before.

You can search for foundation grants with Foundation Grants to Individuals Online, our searchable database of grantmakers that provide support directly to individual grantseekers, including students. Start with a Type of Support search for "Scholarships or Graduate support or Fellowships or Awards". Include a Field of Interest search for terms that describe yourself or your academic/professional interests.

To search from your own computer, subscribe online. You also can use it for free at Foundation Center libraries and Funding Information Network locations.

If you are seeking funding as a undergraduate student, please see our related Knowledge Base article, Where can I find information about financial aid as an undergraduate student?

Selected resources below may also be helpful.

Books & Articles

Check title availability at Foundation Center libraries and Funding Information Network locations or through your local libraries:

Como costear los estudios postsecundarios : guia de programas federales de ayuda estudiantil

Annual Register of Grant Support: A Directory of Funding Sources

The Grants Register

Multiple directories by population group and academic field, edited by Gail Ann Schlachter and David R. Weber

More books & articles on scholarships»