10 Grants To Cover Living Expenses During College

Paying for college isn't always easy. You have to figure out how to cover your tuition, books, supplies, and fees for registration, student activities, and technology. Of course, you also need somewhere to live - whether on or off campus - plus food and transportation.

What can you do if you have money to cover the cost of attendance but not your living expenses? Fortunately, federal, state, and institutional grants are available to help students pay for college expenses and other personal costs.

Below, we'll look at top grants for students who need help paying for school. We'll also explore FAQs about college grant money and other kinds of financial aid.

Can I Get Money for Living Expenses in College?

Undergraduate and graduate students can cover their college living expenses in many ways. Grants, work-study programs, student loans, and scholarships are among the most common options.

• Grants: Financial aid awarded from federal and state governments and institutions that don't require repayment.
• Work-study programs: Part-time jobs used to help undergraduate and graduate students cover educational expenses.
• Student loans: Funds borrowed from the U.S. Department of Education (federal student loans) and private lenders (private student loans) that require repayment with interest.
• Scholarships: Financial gifts typically awarded for merit (grades, special talents, etc.) and financial need provided by nonprofits, private businesses, schools, religious groups, and more.

Qualifying for federal student aid programs (student loans, grants, and work-study) starts with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must also meet other requirements. Now that you know how to get money for education, living, and related expenses, let's explore some top grants for school.

Top 10 Grants for Covering College Living Expenses

A grant is a fantastic way to cover college living expenses. It's essentially free money. However, all grants aren't the same. Some come from the federal government. Others are found through state governments and schools. To jumpstart your search, here's a look at the top 10 grants you can use for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

1. Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides tuition and housing funds to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and don't yet have a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. The maximum award for the 2024-2025 school year is $7,395. However, the amount awarded depends on a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), their full-time or part-time status, and the school's cost of attendance. Students must fill out the FAFSA form to qualify.

2. Cal Grants

Cal Grants are California-based financial aid allocations that don't require repayment. Students attending California State Universities, California Community Colleges, Universities of California, and career/technical schools in the state can apply. Eligibility starts with applying via the FAFSA form or CA Dream Act Application. Students must also meet financial and minimum GPA requirements and be California residents for at least one year.

3. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is an award for education and living expenses administered by school financial aid offices. Not all schools participate, but those that do award between $100 and $4,000 depending on students' financial needs. The grant is delivered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students should fill out the FAFSA form as early as possible to qualify.

4. Davidson College Summer Internship Grants

Davidson College students who participate in unpaid or low-paying internships can receive a grant to cover their cost-of-living expenses. Students must be earning an income equal to or less than $4,000. More than a dozen grants are available with some offering as much as $6,000. Students should review each grant to find out how to qualify.

5. PA State Grant Program

The PA State Grant Program offers financial assistance for education-related costs (housing included) to eligible undergraduate students residing in Pennsylvania. Eligible students must be high school graduates, attend an approved postsecondary school, and have at least half-time enrollment. The specific amount awarded depends on program funding, the number of applicants, and each student's financial need.

6. MASSGrant

The MASSGrant is a program providing need-based financial assistance to undergraduates residing in Massachusetts. To qualify for the MASSGrant, students must be enrolled in an academic program at an approved college, university, school of nursing, or other institution.

7. City College of New York Emergency Grants Program

City College of New York offers the Emergency Grants Program for undergraduate students with a 2.0 GPA or higher and graduate students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. This program helps students with emergencies like homelessness due to loss of housing. Students can also receive help for temporary job loss, overdue bills, and loss of childcare services. The amount awarded varies by student emergency.

8. Florida Gulf Coast University's Undergraduate Grant

The Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Undergraduate Grant is a one-year award of up to $2,000 granted to students with financial need. Students must be enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester and fill out the FAFSA form to qualify. Funding is limited, so not all eligible students receive the grant.

9. Oakland University's Housing Grant

Oakland University offers the Housing Grant, a need-based grant for entering freshmen in Michigan who fill out the FAFSA form and meet other requirements. Eligible students receive up to $20,000 (up to $5,000 per year). They must have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, live in university housing, and have housing charges not covered by another award. Students should also meet family income requirements.

10. Youngstown State University's Housing Grants

The Youngstown State University Housing Grant offers new and continuing students with financial needs up to $2,000 per academic year. Students must live in University Housing or Courtyard Apartments and fill out the FAFSA form. Preference is given to students living within 30 minutes of the university. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

FAQs About Using Grants To Cover Living Expenses During College

Grants provide financial assistance to a significant number of college students. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 64% of all undergraduate students received grants in the 2019-2020 school year. Want to know more about how you can use grants to cover your college living expenses? Check out these frequently asked questions.

Does FAFSA Cover Off-Campus Housing?

You can use federal student aid (FAFSA funds) to cover your off-campus housing. Typically, your school will apply your financial aid package (grants, loans, work-study, etc.) to your tuition and fees. The leftover funds are given directly to students to cover other education-related expenses (including housing and meals).

Can Pell Grant Money Be Used for Living Expenses?

After covering the cost of attendance, students are often given the remaining Pell Grant funds to pay for direct and indirect school costs. If you have unpaid living expenses, you can use Pell Grant funds to cover these costs.

Do Some College Students Get a Stipend for Living Expenses on Their Financial Aid?

A college stipend helps students cover their living expenses and other costs while completing their college education or performing other duties. Stipends might be offered with scholarships, fellowships, training, financial assistance grants, or research positions. In most cases, stipends are considered separate forms of financial assistance and are not included in financial aid packages.

Are There Specific Grants That Help Pay for Room and Board During College?

While federal grants aren't designated specifically for college room and board, they can cover these costs. They can also cover tuition and other fees. However, some colleges and universities offer housing grants for on-campus room and board or off-campus living expenses.