You could also receive thousands of dollars of financial assistance from your state to help pay for college. The main reasons state governments award grants to students to help pay for their education are financial need and merit. Merit-based grants are based on high performance.
If you get good grades or are a star athlete, you may be entitled to thousands of dollars in state-funded grants. However, other state grants may be awarded based on minority status, disability status, or foster care status.
Most states have at least one type of grant for students. For example, in California, there is the Cal Grant. It is for students who are attending an undergraduate program for the first time.
In order to qualify, you must have been a California resident for at least one year, as well as meet additional requirements.
The amount you can receive will depend on a number of factors, including what kind of higher education program you are attending (for example, California State University, University of California, a private non-profit school, etc.).
One type of Cal Grant awards as much as $12,570.
Another example of a state that offers grants to students is Florida, which distributes a number of state-based college grants.
These include the First Generation Matching Grant Program, the Florida Student Assistance Grant Program and the Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund, among others. The Marti Grant is specifically for Hispanic students who meet all other eligibility requirements.
To apply to receive financial assistance from state-funded education grants, all you have to do is fill out the FAFSA form.