Students who are pursuing college degrees in the US often need financial assistance. This could be because of their backgrounds, under privileged groups etc. Sometimes students who are really capable cannot afford the best colleges either. In such a case also, they are often provided scholarships. While the Federal Government provides some grants to the students, students get a majority of financial aid through state grants for colleges. The U.S state governments provide financial aid to colleges and universities by providing them student aid. The state government uses property tax and funds earned through the lottery to provide student grants.

The procedure to access student grants is through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. State governments estimate the amount that a student can and then decide the grant amount that should be provided to the student based on the college fee to be paid and the contribution of the student. Student grants are also provided on first come firsts serve basis in some states. Hence it is important to access one at the correct time. Sometimes the state government can also give permission to work while studying, which helps the student to pay the college fees.

There are many types of state grants that can benefit the students.

• One of the most popular options is the Federal Pell Grant Program, which is a federal college student grant program. It is used to help students by granting loans, which need not be repaid.
• Some states issue need-based grants for students. For instance, the education department in the state of Minnesota provides grants to students coming from a low-income level.
• Merit-based grants are given to students who have shown extraordinary performance in sports, athletics or academics. The state government provides these grants as rewards for their achievements.
• If you belong to a minority group, you can also avail one of the state-funded grants available for minorities. These student grants are provided to the students who come from minority sections such as African American, Hispanic, Asian, etc.
• There is another one that is the ‘Grant to Woman’, which is provided to women who are continuing their college education after a break or to new students.
• Grants for disadvantaged students are provided to those who face hardships to continue their college education socially and economically. Each state has its own way of considering the hardships faced by students to pursue their college education.
• Special grants are also available for students pursuing high need fields, this grant is provided to students who agree for a service period of 3 to 4 years as a nurse or teacher. As these two professions are service oriented, these students are given special grants.
• Grants are provided to disabled students, such as the physically challenged. The state government, as well as the universities, grant financial aid to disabled students.
• Cal Grant Program is a popular student grant’s program supported by the California Student Aid Commission. This program provides grants to students based on academic excellence as well as to the students from low-income families.
• Another popular student’s Grant program is the TEXAS (Towards Excellence, Access, and Success) program in the state of Texas. This program provided grants to students who are in financial and who would like to excel in their higher education.
• Pennsylvania State Grant Program is another popular student’s Grant program which provides financial aid to students pursuing the Bachelor’s Degree program for the first time and 50% of the classes should be through classroom teaching.

Each state in the USA has its own rules and priorities to grant loans to the students based on the financial, social and climatic conditions of the state. The citizens of the USA and the students who have green cards can access student grants, other than that international student can also get student grants by scoring high in the entrance examinations such as SAT/ACT etc.