Study grants and scholarships are kinds of gift aid. Unlike student loans and employment, gift aid is money you do not have to repay; it is something you earn on merit. Even though people use the words “study grants” and “scholarships” interchangeably, there are striking differences between the two. Scholarships are more merit-based, while grants cater to a person’s financial needs. These are given to students who want to pursue their education.

Definition
A single party or a grantmaker, usually a trust, foundation, corporation, or government department, disburses a grant. They go to a recipient, typically an individual, business, educational institution, or NPO.  

A scholarship is a financial assistance award for a student to pursue higher education. These are provided on different criteria that reflect the purposes and values of the award’s founder or donor. 

Recipients

Grants  

• Colleges and universities to accentuate research programs and other academic facilities
• Veterans to train them to serve in the new economy
• Non-profit organizations for neighborhood and housing development, arts and culture, youth and early childhood services, education, health, and social services 

Scholarships
Scholarships are for academically qualified students or those seeking financial assistance to finish their course in stipulated time.

Types
Usually, grants are not categorized. But, scholarships may be student-specific, need-based, merit-based, or career specific.

How to get grants and scholarships?
You fill out financial aid forms like the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to apply for scholarships and grants. However, the outside scholarships will have their application process and formalities. 

• Fill out the FAFSA
  To avail of federal help, you need to fill out the FAFSA. Several colleges and states employ FAFSA to award aid too. 
• Inquire about the financial aid forms your college needs
  Fill in the required forms to apply for the college’s gift aid. It will be the Free Application for Federal Student Aid in most cases. However, some colleges make you fill out their forms or the CSS profile. You can call the financial aid office at the college to find out. There will be a stipulated timeline by which you need to submit the form. So, fill it out and submit it to the required department.  
• Research to apply for outside scholarships
  If you do not know how to get outside scholarships, you can seek assistance from your school counselor. You can also use the College Board’s Scholarship Search. You need to fill out an application form and submit it with the financial aid forms to apply for them.

Qualifications for study grants and scholarships
Typically, your FAFSA determines the eligibility for the grants. Primarily, undergraduates can avail themselves of federal grants. Some programs may even consider first-time graduate students. Ideally, the grant money is for students who need financial assistance. Some of these grants may have a minimum academic standard or GPA requirement. 

On the contrary, most scholarships are merit-based. So, students have to win scholarships. However, some may also be awarded as per their financial need. Regardless, a scholarship has requirements you must fulfill to win. Naturally, the more qualified you are for them, the higher your chances of winning. 

You may find the below-listed eligibility criteria for scholarships:

Scholarships with no requirements
They have a brief form to fill out, wherein you fill in your details. However, such scholarships see several applicants. They do not consider your extracurricular involvement, financial need, or academic performance.

Scholarships with academic requirements
Your test scores or GPA are considered the primary requirements to win the scholarships. 

Scholarships with financial requirements
Some scholarships are for students from economically weaker sections. Herein, you provide proof of your financial need, such as your parents’ income forms. At times, they may consider extracurricular or academic involvement.

Scholarships with extracurricular requirements
These are scholarships for specific organizations a student may be a part of. You may have to submit a letter of recommendation from the head of the particular organization.

Scholarships with other requirements
These fall under the miscellaneous category and are awarded for things like place of employment, citizenship status, or last name. They may have different requirements. You may need a letter of recommendation, write an essay, or fill out a form.

Uses and benefits of study grants and scholarships

• They make access to education easier.
• You may receive added mentorship benefits with them.
• They help you network with other people who have won this award.
• You will not have to work to meet your financial needs. 
• If you are eligible for one of the challenging scholarships, it can boost your resume.
• They provide access to more colleges, even the best (usually expensive) ones.

We hope you have adequate clarity on the differences between grants and scholarships and their application methods. You can pick the one that best fits your needs.