With the cost of college education more than doubling since 1980, according to the U.S. Department of Education, many students may be finding debt piling up on them. Paying tuition may require a variety of strategies, including any savings account that has been established and student loans. Students should pursue grant opportunities, though, because unlike student loans they don’t have to be paid back. There are a variety of programs available to help pay for college.

Help getting grants

While a grant will not pay for the entire cost of tuition, it is a better financial aid tool than student loans because it does not need to be paid back. Research will be the key to finding any applicable grants, but here are a few examples:

*Pell Grant – This is likely the most well known of the grants awarded through the U.S. federal government. It is based on need and available to undergraduate students studying either full- or part-time. The current maximum that can be awarded is $5,550 per academic year. An application must be filled out to determine eligibility and the cost of the institution will also be considered.

*Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – Another grant available for undergraduate students, the FSEOG is based on extreme financial need. Funding is based on application date, cost of tuition and the financial aid policies of the university, but grant awards will normally range from $100 to $4,000 per academic year.

*Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grants – Designed to encourage those going into the teaching profession to help the less fortunate, the TEACH grants offer undergraduate, post-baccalaureate or graduate students up to $4,000. In return, students agree to teach for at least four years at an elementary or secondary school that serves low-income families. This must be done within eight years of graduation or the grant money that had been awarded converts to a Stafford loan which has to be repaid. Special consideration is given to students who plan on teaching in high need areas, such as mathematics, foreign language and science.

*Academic Competitiveness Grant – Students who faced rigorous academic courses while in high school are eligible for up to $750 for first-year students and $1,300 for those in their second year.

Applying

For federal grants, an application will need to be filled out and various qualifications met, including:

*Being a U.S. citizen

*Possess a valid Social Security number

*Have a high school diploma

*Promise to use federal loans and grants only for higher education purposes

Paying for college will probably require using some savings as well as securing financial aid. Searching out and applying for grants to help cover some of the costs can be well worth the time in the long run since they will not add to post-graduation debt the way student loans will. The money is there for the right applicant and it doesn’t hurt to try to get it.

Christina Lloyd writes for a site that has tips on financial aid for students, including teaching grants & scholarships and grants for cosmetology students. She thinks it's a good idea to consider applying for a grant, as it will mean less debt after college.