Living on a college student budget can be awfully rough.  When you add in the textbooks, the food, housing, and everything else, how the heck can you live day by day, when you’re spending $2 and only making $1?

The rave online today seems to be college grants and while a lot of sites are simply trying to rip you off, by having you give them your information, and you get nothing in return.  I wanted to show you some simple steps that you can use, if you’re looking to find a legitimate college grants.

Grants aren’t for everyone: The first thing that you want to keep in mind is that a grant isn’t for everyone.  You’re going to have to be under a specific income threshold, as well as other factors.  When you look for a grant, make sure that you know the minimum requirements.  If you don’t fall into the grant demographic, I wouldn’t bother applying for it.

How you can apply for a college grant?

The first thing that you need to know is that there are two different levels, when it comes to college grants.  You’re going to have your state level grants, as well as your federal level grants.

#1 Federal Grants

If you’re already a recipient of FAFSA (financial aid), you will automatically be enrolled in federal grant programs.  If you apply for any of the grants, you will be notified.  This will all depend on the information that you have used, when you filled out the FAFSA form.

#2 State Grants

Every state is going to be different with it’s grants.  The same is going to gow with the states as well.  You will need to submit your FAFSA form and you will also have to submit other information such as your High School records, and more.  Be aware that the states will generally only give grants to those that are in desperate need.

#3 Private Grants

While private grants are probably the hardest to come by, I would recommend that you just use online services online.  One of my favorites is FastWeb.  It’s free and it should give you some information.  Again, be very aware of scams that happen online.  Don’t pay for any information, nor do you want to purchase any e-books.  You’re better off throwing that money toward your student loans.