What's the deal with low income scholarships and grants for college?

I'm from a low-income family and want to apply for as many colleges as possible. How do I find low-income scholarships and grants to help pay for college expenses?

When it comes to finding financial aid for college, there are a few resources that specifically cater to low-income students.

Your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application determines your eligibility for federal funding, including grants (which don't need to be paid back) and federally subsidized loans. The FAFSA considers your family's income, among other factors, to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI), which determines how much financial aid you can receive.

State-based grants are also an important resource as many states offer their own grants for residents attending in-state institutions. You can look up information on your state's Department of Education website for potential state-specific grants.

Next, reach out to the financial aid office at the colleges you're applying to. Many universities provide grants for students demonstrating financial need, and these are often automatically determined when you apply for admission.

Some colleges with robust financial aid programs even offer a 'no-loan' policy for low-income families, meaning your financial aid package will consist solely of grants and work-study. Ivy League schools like Harvard offer full rides to families earning less than a certain income, for example, $85,000 at Harvard.

If the schools you're applying to don't offer much in-house financial aid, consider using scholarship databases like Fastweb, Appily, and Scholarships.com. These sites compile thousands of scholarship opportunities, and you can often filter by criteria like 'low income' or 'first-generation' to find scholarships geared towards your circumstances.

Remember that finding scholarships can be time-consuming, so it's best to start as early as possible. Always check the rules and eligibility criteria before applying, and be aware of scams—legitimate scholarships should never ask for money upfront. Good luck with your search!