Scholarships and Grants

Fewer than 20,000 students in the United States receive a full-ride scholarship for their postsecondary education each year, and less than a percent of students received enough individual scholarships to cover the cost of their college education.¹ In the 2014–2015 academic year, the College Board found that two-thirds of full-time college students were using some form of grants or scholarships to complete their education.² All U.S. college students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal financial assistance.³ In 2017, U.S. philanthropists, businesses, foundations and private individuals gave $410.02 billion to nonprofit organizations across the nation.⁴ Nonprofits can also apply for federal grants, as provided by the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.⁵ Federal grants for nonprofits can range from $500,000 to millions of dollars, and are granted after a series of applications and vetting processes.⁶