Who gets the most aid from college grants?

I'm working on planning out my finances for college, and grants are a big part of the equation. Can anyone explain who tends to receive the most help from college grants? What factors influence this? Appreciate any insights!

There are several factors that influence who receives the most financial assistance through college grants. Let's break it down:

1. Financial need: This is the primary determinant. Need-based grants are designed to provide aid to students who demonstrate financial need. This is calculated using information provided in the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA assesses your family's income, assets, and other financial circumstances to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Well, they actually replaced EFC with SAI (Student Aid Index) but the idea is similar, it's an indexed number to help determine who gets the most financial aid.

2. Academic performance: This is also an important factor, particularly for merit-based grants. Students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement (as evidenced by GPA, SAT or ACT scores, etc.) could be rewarded with grants from colleges and universities. Remember that some colleges have certain Academic Index thresholds that students need to meet to be considered.

3. Demographic Factors: Some grants target specific demographics, like first-generation college students, minorities, students with disabilities, women in STEM, military families, etc.

4. Field of study: Grants can also be available to students pursuing study in a particular field. For example, there are certain government grants available to students studying education or health professions.

5. Location: There are also state-specific grants that are available to students residing in or attending school in certain states.

In summary, while financial need tends to play the largest role in determining grant eligibility, across-the-board factors like academics, demographics, intended field of study, and geographic location can also significantly influence the amount of grant aid a student receives. It's important to research all options available to you and apply for as many grants as you qualify for. Best of luck in your search!