Career & College Preparation Grants

Last updated October 11, 2026

Grantable tracks 853 active career & college preparation grants in its free grants database, drawn from 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: Foundation · Updated daily

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Grant	Deadline ▲	Amount
First-Generation Graduate Scholarships Catholic Education Arizona · Foundation Not published · Varies Scholarships specifically aimed at students who are the first in their families to graduate high school and advance to college, ensuring future generations are well-educated	Not published	Varies
McKinney-Vento Pathway to Success Grant Fremont Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · $2K There are currently over 250 McKinney-Vento (MKV) students attending schools in Fremont Unified School District (FUSD). MKV Student Services support ends once students graduate from high school.	Not published	$2K
EPAAF Merit-Based Scholarship East Palo Alto Academy Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Support high-achieving students pursuing higher education	Not published	Varies
Pathways to Careers (P2C) Program Indiana Latino Institute Inc · Foundation Not published · $9K For students accepted to IUPUI, Ivy Tech Indianapolis, or Marian University. ILI will provide support services, professional and academic guidance, and activities created to foster success for participants throughout their higher education.	Not published	$9K
LCAN Grants Michigan College Access Network · Foundation Not published · Varies Michigan College Access Network offers grant opportunities to build up Local College Access Networks (LCANs) that put college in reach for more Michigan youth. MCAN has created a series of LCAN grant opportunities.	Not published	Varies
Bill Flaig Community Service Scholarship Alexandria Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K Recognize and support students with strong community service records who are transitioning to college	Not published	$1K
Grand Haven Rotary/Lynne Sherwood STRIVE Scholarship Grant Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Grand Haven Rotary/Lynne Sherwood STRIVE Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Grand Haven Area Public Schools, especially Central High School, who have benefitted from a mentor's guidance while pursuing their diploma or GED.	Not published	Varies
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Listed by Vigran Family Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $900 A four-year, full-tuition scholarship for high school seniors from Wayne County to pursue baccalaureate degrees at colleges or universities in Indiana. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment.	Not published	Up to $900
Education & Leadership Impact Grants - Greater than $15,000 or over Multiple Years The Cedarcrest Charitable Foundation Aka · Foundation Not published · Varies BLBB Charitable considers requests for operating support, project support, and capacity building (including sustainability and strategic planning, program planning and growth, leadership or professional development, or staff training) in…	Not published	Varies
Cytokinetics: Diversity in Science Education Grant Cytokinetics · Foundation Not published · Varies Cytokinetics is dedicated to enhancing diversity in STEM education for underrepresented students in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Philadelphia Region.	Not published	Varies
Amelia Peabody Scholarship Grant Northeastern University · Foundation Not published · Varies The Amelia Peabody Scholarship, offered by Northeastern University, supports Honors students in achieving academic excellence while addressing their financial needs.	Not published	Varies
Faith Family Education Foundation Scholarship Faith Family Education Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Provides financial assistance to Faith Family Academy high school graduating seniors pursuing post-secondary education at various institutions.	Not published	Varies
Andra J. Fuller Memorial Scholarship Amador Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
College Success Programs Grants Aurora Women and Girls Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $15K – $23K Aurora's grantmaking focuses on college success programs as a key strategy to improve women's economic security. Research data shows that a bachelor's degree can double the earning potential of women in Greater Hartford.	Not published	$15K – $23K
Invest For Kids Grant Invest for Kids Inc · Foundation Not published · $200K The Invest For Kids Grant aims to support nonprofits in the Chicago area that serve low-income youth, focusing on those with budgets between $1-5 million.	Not published	$200K
Christ Child Society of Naples Habitat Scholars Fund Christ Child Society of Naples Inc · Foundation Not published · $5K – $20K To motivate high school students living in Habitat for Humanity communities to continue their education with post-secondary degrees or certificates The Christ Child Society of Naples Habitat Scholars Fund and the selection of recipients is…	Not published	$5K – $20K
St. Mary's College of Maryland STEP Program (Transfer Edge Program) St Mary's College of Maryland Foundation Inc · Foundation Rolling · Varies Partnership between College of Southern Maryland (CSM) and St. Mary's College of Maryland enabling CSM students to complete coursework at SMCM while earning transfer credit, with a tuition waiver.	Rolling	Varies
Higher Education Scholarship Program Wheeling Forward Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Wheeling Forward awards need-based scholarships to students with disabilities attending City University of New York (CUNY) colleges.	Not published	Varies
Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Scholarship Program Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K A college education is the ticket to success for most people. Our Scholarship Program awards generous cash prizes to students enrolling in a college, university or trade school.	Not published	$1K
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship - Morgan County (The Community Foundation of Morgan County) Listed by Community Foundation of Morgan County · Foundation Not published · Up to $900 'Since 1998, the Community Foundation of Morgan County has been proud to partner with Lilly Endowment Inc. to administer the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program in Morgan County' Indiana. 'The program provides scholarships for…	Not published	Up to $900
Cubs Charities Community Fund Robert R McCormick Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The McCormick Foundation matches all donations at 50% and covers all administration fees, so your entire donation, plus the match will be granted to qualified nonprofit organizations.	Not published	Varies
Returning Adult Transition Coach Program Grant Growing Inland Achievement · Foundation Not published · $40K To support the development of a Transition Coach Program for returning adult learners (ages 25+) in the Inland Empire	Not published	$40K
Dreamscape Scholars Program Kipp Foundation · Foundation Not published · $50K A scholarship program dedicated to ensuring Black representation within the most important tech startups and companies. Dreamscape Scholars are changemakers who receive mentorship, financial support, and networking opportunities.	Not published	$50K
College Prep Grants Jack and Jill of America Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Jack and Jill of America Foundation offers College Prep Grants aimed at enhancing college readiness for African American children. These grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to building a pipeline of talent.	Not published	Varies

Showing 433–456 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.

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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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