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
Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant (IL) Illinois Community College Board · Foundation Not published · $50K – $375K The Innovative Bridge and Transition Grant (IL) aims to enhance educational and employment pathways for individuals aged 16 and older.	Not published	$50K – $375K
The Aurora Kiwanis Club/William J. Downs Scholarship Fund Grant Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Aurora Kiwanis Club/William J. The next deadline for this grant is Wed, 20 Jan 2027.	Not published	Varies
Collaboratory Scholarships Southwest Florida Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $1.2M Annual scholarship awards providing vital financial support to students in Southwest Florida pursuing education and skills aligned with the region's most in-demand careers.	Not published	$1.2M
FY27 College and Career Transition Counselor Grant Application - Sixth Round Education · State Not published · $5M	Not published	$5M
Bexley Education Foundation Scholarships Bexley Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $3K Since 2015, the Foundation has provided scholarship support for Bexley seniors looking to continue their education in college, enter military service, or seek a direct path to a career.	Not published	$1K – $3K
Dorothy Jean Coates Scholarship Foundation Fund Grant The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $2K The Dorothy Jean Coates Scholarship Foundation Fund, established by the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, supports nontraditional students in higher education.	Not published	$1K – $2K
Career Academy Incentive Fund Grant Iowa Department of Education · Foundation Not published · Varies The Career Academy Incentive Fund Grant, established by the Iowa Department of Education, supports collaborations between school districts and community colleges to enhance career academy programs.	Not published	Varies
Muriel S. and Gordon A. Wilson Scholarship Fund Grant Hartford Foundation for Public Giving · Foundation Not published · $2K – $5K The Muriel S. and Gordon A. Wilson Scholarship Fund, established by dedicated church members, supports college scholarships for students from the Center Congregational Church in Manchester, CT, or local residents.	Not published	$2K – $5K
OCCU Scholarship Program Our Community Credit Union · Foundation Not published · Varies OCCU has been supporting education in its communities since 1941. The scholarship program recognizes high-achieving members pursuing higher education.	Not published	Varies
Helen Hill Scholarship Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star · Foundation Not published · Up to $6K The Helen Hill Scholarship honors Mary Helen Hill (1938-2021), a kind and generous soul who believed strongly in the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters and was committed to mentoring others.	Not published	Up to $6K
Mariano and Maria Lampazzi Fiaschi Memorial Scholarship Grant Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains (CFEM) · Foundation Not published · Varies Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March.	Not published	Varies
The Don and Elsie Sickafoose Educational Trust Fund Grant Stark Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.	Not published	$500
Tom Johnson Memorial Scholarship Pikeland Public Schools Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Ronny J. Coleman Scholarship Grant Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K The Ronny J. Coleman Scholarship, provided by the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation, supports students from the Elk Grove Unified School District pursuing education at 4-year universities, community colleges, or vocational schools.	Not published	$1K
Kimball Foundation Grant Program The Kimball Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Kimball Foundation Grant Program supports college access, workplace training, cultural enrichment, and environmental education for low-income residents in the San Francisco Bay Area.	Not published	Varies
Innovation in Career Services Grants Strada Education Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $300K In partnership with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), Strada awarded eight Innovation in Career Services grants to postsecondary…	Not published	$300K
Local College/Career Access Network (LCAN) Grant FY2027 Renewal College Student Aid Commission · State Not published · $6M	Not published	$6M
Act Six College Scholarship Program Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A full-need, full-tuition college scholarship program for high school students in Urban Ventures' service area in South Minneapolis.	Not published	Varies
Upward Bound Program Suffolk University · Foundation Not published · Varies A federally funded program designed to increase college access and educational opportunities for first-generation and/or low-income high school students.	Not published	Varies
FACF: Community Grants - Education Grants Fremont Area Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Fremont Area Community Foundation offers Education Grants aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for all learners in Newaygo County.	Not published	Varies
Meatball Street Brawl Scholarship (Western NY Chapter) New York State Restaurant Association · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Community Development Scholarship Hill Country Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Oakland Rotary Scholarship Oakland Rotary Endowment · Foundation Not published · $16K The Scholarship Committee awards college scholarships to deserving Oakland high school seniors who will be attending a four-year college or university.	Not published	$16K
Philip B. Elfstrom & Peg Bond Scholarship Endowment Fund Grant Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Philip B. The next deadline for this grant is Wed, 20 Jan 2027.	Not published	Varies

Showing 361–384 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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