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How to Apply for & Receive College Grants and Scholarships

When it comes to financing your college education, grants and scholarships can be an important part of your financial aid package. Grants and scholarships are a type of aid that do not need to be repaid by eligible students who remain in school. You might have to pay back all or part of a grant or scholarship if you withdraw from school before finishing an enrollment period (for example, a quarter). Grants and scholarships may be awarded by the government, local or national organizations, or individual colleges. You may qualify for grants and scholarships for college based on financial need, merit (such as academic achievement grants), or a combination of the two.

Federal & State Grants
To qualify for grants for college from the federal government, you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA—an all-in-one application for all types of federal aid. Federal grants are typically awarded based on financial need and include:
● Pell Grant
● Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
● Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
● Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant 

You must re-apply for financial aid using the FAFSA for each year you attend school. When you apply for financial aid, you’ll be required to submit a school code with the FAFSA. For example, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division’s school code is 007470.  After you’ve been accepted to school, that school will then inform you of any grants of other types of financial aid for which you’re eligible.

Some states may award grants and scholarships solely based on your FAFSA, while others will request additional documentation and specify different requirements for financial aid applicants. Your prior academic achievement may be taken into consideration for these grants and scholarships. State deadlines may also vary from federal deadlines so be sure to research your state’s grant and scholarship availability and procedures online.

Individual College Grants and Scholarships
Many colleges offer their own institutional grants and scholarships for academic achievement or financial need. While schools may use information from your FAFSA to award such grants, check with the financial aid office at each school you’re considering to ask about their requirements for financial aid, how to get college grants and scholarships, and what deadlines you need to meet. 

At The Art Institute of Pittsburgh—Online Division, we offer an Academic Achievement Grant. To earn this college grant, you must meet certain requirements, including successful class completion, maintaining any required monthly payments, and borrowing only enough loan money to cover tuition and fees. An eligible student meeting the Academic Achievement Grant requirements may qualify for one of the following Academic Achievement Grants, depending on the student’s academic program:

○ Up to $39,119 for bachelor's programs

○ Up to $22,946 for associate programs

○ Up to $13,864 for diploma and certificate programs

For more information about how to qualify for this college grant opportunity, contact our Admissions Department at 877.872.8869.

Grants and Scholarships from Local or National Organizations
When researching how to apply for financial aid and how to get college grants and scholarships, don’t overlook getting financial need or academic achievement grants from local or national private or non-profit organizations. Consider contacting professional organizations, corporations, or industry groups that relate to your desired career to see if they offer any grants for college students like you. Philanthropic organizations and minority advocacy groups also may offer college grants for which you could apply and qualify.

Getting Grants and Scholarships for College: Your Next Steps
Now that you know about how to apply for financial aid as well as college grants and scholarships, it’s time to get moving. Do your research online, add deadlines to your calendar, and don’t hesitate to contact your school’s financial aid office for help. Remember, many grant and scholarship applications have hard deadlines and precise requirements, so the earlier you start this process, the better!

Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

For students receiving the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits, some state and institutional grants and scholarships may reduce the amount of certified tuition and fees by the school to the VA for payment.

Learn more about The Art Institute of Pittsburgh—Online Division today and how our financial aid team can guide you through the process of paying for a creative arts education.