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
Dave Chamberlain Scholarship Grant Community Foundation for SW Washington · Foundation Not published · $5K Community Foundation for Southwest Washington The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington is a public charitable organization dedicated to strengthening communities across Southwest Washington by connecting people, resources, and…	Not published	$5K
Walter O & Blanch Elliot Castello Scholarship Grant Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Walter O & Blanch Elliot Castello Scholarship, offered by the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation, supports students pursuing higher education at four-year universities, community colleges, or vocational schools.	Not published	Up to $1K
Horsley Opportunity Scholarship Fund Grant Quad Cities Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Horsley Opportunity Scholarship Fund, administered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, provides need-based scholarships of up to $1,000 for Scott County, Iowa high school graduates.	Not published	Up to $1K
Margaret K. Braff "Service in Action" Award Center Point GA Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K Support for college, technical school, or other pre-approved post-secondary education	Not published	Up to $1K
Regional Promise Grant Education Grants · State Not published · Varies Grant program supporting regional promise initiatives to increase college access and affordability.	Not published	Varies
Panera Bread Foundation Grant Panera Bread Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $25K – $100K The Panera Bread Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on empowering underserved, at-risk youth.	Not published	$25K – $100K
Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship Grant Quad Cities Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Jane & Clem Werner Scholarship, funded by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, awards $5,000 annually to five deserving seniors from specific local high schools.	Not published	Up to $5K
Helen Duranleau-Brennan Theater Scholarship Grant Quad Cities Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $4K The Helen Duranleau-Brennan Theater Scholarship, offered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, supports students pursuing theater studies.	Not published	Up to $4K
Barbara Sneed Community & Education Scholarship Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance Inc · Foundation Not published · $2K Provides educational support to community members pursuing higher education.	Not published	$2K
Greater Texas Foundation (GTF): Aggie Scholars Program Grant Greater Texas Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Greater Texas Foundation's Aggie Scholars Program aims to support graduates of early college high schools in achieving their degrees from Texas A&M University.	Not published	Varies
Paxico Blues Fest, Marvine McKeithen Scholarship The Kansas Rural Communities Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K This scholarship was created to assist a Wabaunsee County student with expenses related to education in music or the arts, and/or cultural and community advancement.	Not published	$1K
Latino Endowment Fund Annual Grantmaking Hartford Foundation for Public Giving · Foundation Not published · Varies The Latino Endowment Fund (LEF) at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is pleased to announce a grant funding opportunity for initiatives that support the Latine community in the Greater Hartford area.	Not published	Varies
Chuck and Betty Childs Scholarship Educational Excellence Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies To provide financial assistance to a P-CEP high school graduate who is furthering their education and attended Farrand Elementary School.	Not published	Varies
Dual Enrollment with Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) - Advanced Standing Associates Program (ASAP) Neighborhood House Charter School Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Advanced Standing Associates Program (ASAP) is for rising seniors who want to start earning a BFIT associates degree while still in high school.	Not published	Varies
College Scholarship Program Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness · Foundation Not published · $3K – $10K	Not published	$3K – $10K
Gabilan Hope Scholarship Grant Community Foundation for Monterey County · Foundation Not published · Up to $2K School District (SUHSD). This program was established in 2015 by a grant from a private donor in San Francisco.	Not published	Up to $2K
Invitation-Only Grant Systems Development or Systemic Change J Warren and Lois McClure Foundation · Foundation Not published · $10K The J. Warren & Lois McClure Foundation provides invitation-only grants aimed at enhancing postsecondary education opportunities for young Vermonters.	Not published	$10K
Edward and Dorothy Livingston Fund Grant The Pittsburgh Foundation · Foundation Not published · Up to $1K The Edward and Dorothy Livingston Fund, established by The Pittsburgh Foundation, offers scholarships to nursing students in Allegheny County, PA.	Not published	Up to $1K
Dr. Edmund A. Steenburg Memorial Scholarship Grant Hamilton Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Dr. Edmund A. Steenburg Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Hamilton Community Foundation, is available to graduating seniors or alumni from Hamilton County high schools.	Not published	Varies
D.W. Morse Family Scholarship Fund Olympic View Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $19K Provide generous support to carefully selected Port Angeles High School graduates pursuing college education	Not published	$19K
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Listed by Wayne County Indiana Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $900 The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition scholarship administered by the Wayne County Foundation for high school seniors in Wayne County.	Not published	Up to $900
UNCA Scholarship Children's Well-Being League F/K/a Children's Welfare League · Foundation Not published · $50K An endowed need-based scholarship established in 2004 to support Buncombe County residents attending the University of North Carolina at Asheville.	Not published	$50K
Penny Hardaway Essay Contest Scholarship Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K	Not published	$1K
Robert D. Handley Memorial Scholarship Fund Grant Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Robert D. The next deadline for this grant is Thu, 04 Mar 2027.	Not published	Varies

Showing 625–648 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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