Federal Pell Grant

• The Federal Pell Grant offers funding for students in associate and bachelor's degree programs. Recipients can receive up to $5,500 per award, as of January 2011, and up to two awards per school year. Students can enroll part-time or full-time, and use funding at participating private and public colleges and universities. Administrators at participating schools distribute funding, which they may apply toward school tuition and fees or award directly to the recipient. Pell Grant guidelines require students to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which applicants can find at the FAFSA website.
  
  

TEACH Grant

• Due to the shortage of teaching professionals, the U.S. Department of Education offers the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program, also known as the TEACH Grant. The department extends eligibility to students planning teaching careers in secondary or elementary schools serving children from low-income households. As of January 2011, awardees can obtain up to $4,000 per school year for use in undergraduate or graduate teaching programs. Guidelines require applicants to hold U.S. citizenship or qualify as a non-citizen, and all candidates must agree to teach after graduation in a school catering to low-income students. Future teachers must submit a FAFSA on the FAFSA website for consideration.
  
  

SMART Scholarship

• The federal government offers the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation Scholarship for Service Program, referred to as the SMART Scholarship, for undergraduate and graduate students. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) administers the program, which accepts students enrolled in mathematics, science, engineering and technology programs. Applicants must hold citizenship in the U.S. and have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. SMART Scholarship recipients must participate in internships at DOD facilities and must agree to accept employment with DOD after graduation. Awardees can receive up to $41,000 in cash awards and tuition. Students enrolled in qualified fields can submit an application at the SMART Scholarship website.
  
  

State Student Aid

• State governments offer need- and merit-based scholarships for college students. The California Student Aid Commission awards Cal Grants. The Cal Grant A Entitlement Award program extends eligibility to students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and pays up to $4,884, as of January 2011, for students attending schools in the California state university system. Students attending certain technical schools can receive $2,592 through the Cal Grant C program. The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation awards grants funded by Lottery Tennessee. Low-income students can apply for the Tennessee Student Assistant Award to attend participating public and private colleges. Freshmen with a GPA of 2.75 or above can receive up to $2,750 to attend four-year institutions through the Tennessee Hope Access Grant program.