The ongoing recession is the worst economic situation that this generation has experienced. Many have been directly affected by it and are trying to combat it. The recession has had a profound effect on the number of students going to college. People have limited money and education seems like a luxury at this point.

Even governments are having a tough time coming up with funds to support education.

Even in this most dire of situations, there are various college grants available for students. College grants are a wonderful opportunity for you to get into college without having to pay the exorbitant fees and get a degree. Since college grants usually take care of college related expenses in addition to the tuition fee, it is in essence a free lunch.

College grants are offered by the government on both the state and the federal level. Nowadays, the job market is very competitive and a degree is crucial when fighting for positions. Getting the money for college without having to spend a dime is like manna from heaven.
The government offers various college grants.

Pell Grants

The Pell college grants are the foremost financial aid programs provided by the government. All the other college grants are inferior to the Pell Grant. The benefit of getting Pell college grants is that it is free, which means that once you get the money, you don’t have to give it back. There is no repayment required for you to make. The Pell Grant gives the most money for your college expenses, more than any other college grant. When you are being analyzed for a government grant, the first consideration you get will be for a Pell Grant.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

The Academic Competitiveness college grants are available for the first two years of your college. Only those students who have qualified for a Pell Grant can receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant, but there is an exception to this in some cases. The Academic Competitiveness college grants have recently been offered to help the students pay for their college.

National SMART Grant

The National SMART college grants are limited in number and only available to students who have already qualified for a Pell Grant. The student has to meet certain criteria to be deemed eligible for a National SMART Grant. This grant does not cover your whole college program and can only be applied for when you have completed at least two years of your college program for the undergraduate degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity college grants are federal college grants given to students on the basis of their need. There are many students who won’t be able to bear the expenses of college at all and the federal supplemental educational opportunity grant has been designed especially for such students.

There are several other government sponsored college grants available for you. It will be a good idea to apply for more than one college grant so that there is a greater chance of you receiving one.