Career & College Preparation Grants

Last updated October 11, 2026

Grantable tracks 853 active career & college preparation grants in its free grants database, drawn from state and foundation sources and updated daily. 3 of them have a verified open deadline or accept applications on a rolling basis. 412 list an award amount, with a median of $5,000.

Grants tracked: 853; from 498 funders
Median award: $5,000; middle half $2,000–$17K
Total listed funding: $57.4M; across 412 grants that list an amount
Rolling deadlines: 5; 82 with a published date

On this page: State Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
Lowell Alumni Association College Scholarship Program Lowell Alumni Association · Foundation Not published · $1K – $200K The Lowell Alumni Association invites all graduating seniors to apply for college scholarships. Approximately $200,000 in scholarships are awarded annually to 100 or more members of the graduating class.	Not published	$1K – $200K
Luehrs - Lillion Effie Luehrs Scholarship Grant Coastal Bend Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $100 – $16K The Luehrs - Lillion Effie Luehrs Scholarship honors the legacy of Lillion Effie Luehrs, a dedicated educator from Bishop.	Not published	$100 – $16K
Harry J. Morris, Jr. Emergency Services Grant Grand Rapids Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Harry J. Morris, Jr. The next deadline for this grant is Mon, 01 Mar 2027. The Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that connects people, passion and resources.	Not published	Varies
Community College Access Program (CCAP) Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Full tuition for up to 3 years Virginia Western's Community College Access Program (CCAP) is a series of public/private partnerships designed to make college available tuition-free to area high school graduates who meet program guidelines.	Not published	Full tuition for up to 3 years
Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation: Education Grant The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation aims to enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for individuals and communities in Arizona.	Not published	Varies
Higher Education to Career Success Michael & Susan Dell Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies By committing to action, embracing innovation, and focusing on real impact, we can make a lasting difference. Our Mission: We build pathways that change lives.	Not published	Varies
William & Martha Buckingham Scholarship - Renewal Grant Ashland County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The William & Martha Buckingham Scholarship - Renewal, managed by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports graduating seniors from Ashland County high schools with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.	Not published	Varies
BFB Foundation Women's Scholarships - University Program BFB Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $600 Eliminate educational expense barriers for indigenous Guatemalan girls from disadvantaged communities to access university education, vocational training, or professional certification	Not published	$600
Fox Valley Earth Day Scholarship Endowment Fund Grant Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley · Foundation Not published · Varies Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens to enhance and support the quality of life in the Fox River Valley of…	Not published	Varies
Roughrider Electric $1,000 Luck of the Draw Scholarships Roughrider Electric Cooperative Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K	Not published	$1K
Woodward Hines Education Foundation Calling Panther Award Grant Community Foundation for Mississippi · Foundation Not published · $5K The Woodward Hines Education Foundation Calling Panther Award offers up to $5,000 over four years to motivated high school seniors at Hazelhurst and Crystal Springs High Schools.	Not published	$5K
Smith Scholarship Lutheran Family Services Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Smith Diversity Scholarship supports graduating high school students in their pursuit of post-secondary education.	Not published	Varies
Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation Chicago Education Grant Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation · Foundation Not published · $20K – $50K The Mayer and Morris Kaplan Foundation Chicago Education Grant aims to enhance postsecondary opportunities for first-generation students of color from low-income communities.	Not published	$20K – $50K
Ruth and Norman Rales Scholars Program Kipp Foundation · Foundation Not published · $50K A partnership between the Norman and Ruth Rales Foundation and KIPP Foundation providing KIPP alumni with comprehensive financial and mentorship support to defray college costs and achieve success.	Not published	$50K
James E. and Violet A. Carson Scholarship Endowment Grant North Carolina Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The James E. and Violet A. Carson Scholarship Endowment, established by the North Carolina Community Foundation, supports Wilkes County residents pursuing higher education.	Not published	Varies
Harry and Eleanor D. Nelson Scholarship Grant Solano Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The Harry and Eleanor D. Nelson Scholarship, established by the Nelsons in 1967, supports Vacaville high school seniors pursuing higher education.	Not published	Up to $20K
Joe & Carolyn Bailey Scholarship Fund Greater Fayette Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Help students further their opportunities through higher education or trade schools, empowering them to become more productive citizens of Fayette County and the State of Texas	Not published	Varies
Maryland Gear Up State Department of Education · State Not published · Varies To increase the number of low income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education. Grant also provides college scholarship to low income students.	Not published	Varies
Hamilton Education Foundation: Marjorie Wrezic Scholarship Grant Hamilton Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $10K The Marjorie Wrezic Scholarship, established by the Hamilton Education Foundation in 2013, honors Ralph Wrezic and supports graduating Hamilton High School seniors.	Not published	Up to $10K
Ashland County Pilot's Association--Leo K. Heyl Memorial Scholarship Grant Ashland County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Ashland County Pilot's Association created the Leo K. Heyl Memorial Scholarship to honor Leo's passion for aviation.	Not published	Varies
St. David's Neal Kocurek Scholarship St David's Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The St. David’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship is the largest healthcare scholarship program in the state of Texas.	Not published	Varies
Louis Bunyan Memorial Scholarship (LBMS) Coastal Villages Region Fund · Foundation Not published · Up to $4K Key financial support for higher education and vocational training. CVRF supports region residents in pursuit of their career goals through this scholarship fund.	Not published	Up to $4K
Warren and Vera Barrow Family Scholarship Pikeland Public Schools Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Rev. Henry Hudson Bobbitt Scholarship Grant Cumberland Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Rev. The next deadline for this grant is Wed, 10 Feb 2027.	Not published	Varies

Showing 265–288 of 851

About college prep grants

College prep grants fund programs that help students prepare for, enroll in, and succeed in postsecondary education, with a focus on low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. The largest federal sources are the U.S. Department of Education's Federal TRIO programs (including Upward Bound and Talent Search) and GEAR UP. Private foundations and college-access nonprofits also fund advising, test prep, and transition support.

A long list is the starting point, not the shortlist. Our grant prospecting guide shows how to narrow career & college preparation grants down to the funders most likely to say yes, using their giving records.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much money do career & college preparation grants award?

Of the 853 career & college preparation grants Grantable lists as of October 11, 2026, 412 publish an award amount. The median listed award is $5,000, and the middle half fall between $2,000 and $17K. The largest is $10M. Amounts are each grant's stated maximum, so a typical award can be smaller.

Which funders offer the most career & college preparation grants?

By number of active listings, the leading funders are Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Inc (16), The San Diego Foundation (13), Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley (12), Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (10), and Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (9). In all, 498 funders have at least one active grant in this category.

When are career & college preparation grants due?

Of 853 grants listed, 5 accept applications on a rolling basis, 82 have a published upcoming deadline, 340 run on a stated cycle (such as annual or quarterly) without a published date, and 426 don't publish a deadline, so check the funder's site. Among dated deadlines, 77% fall in January–March.

What college prep grants are available?

College prep grants support college awareness, advising, tutoring, test preparation, financial-aid help, and summer bridge programs. The federal TRIO programs (such as Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services) and GEAR UP are the cornerstone funding sources, both administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Many private foundations and regional college-access organizations also fund programs that increase enrollment and completion for underserved students.

Which organizations fund college prep programs?

College prep is funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Education through competitive TRIO and GEAR UP grants awarded to colleges, states, and nonprofit organizations. GEAR UP grants are typically six-year matching awards that frequently go to states, while TRIO grants go to institutions and community organizations. Private funders, including foundations focused on educational opportunity and college access, supplement federal funding for advising and scholarship-readiness programs.

Who is eligible for college prep grants?

Eligibility varies by program, but federal college-prep funding generally targets students from low-income families and students who would be first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree. Grantees are usually colleges, universities, state agencies, school districts, and nonprofit organizations rather than individual students.

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