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
George J. Vergis Family Scholarship Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation · Foundation ~March · $3K	~March	$3K
BBCF Local Scholarship Program (70+ scholarships managed) Bridge Builders Community Foundations FKA Venango Area Comm Foundation · Foundation ~March · Varies Bridge Builders Community Foundations manages more than 70 individual local scholarship funds, each established by donors with specific educational and community-building intentions. Scholarships within the program vary widely in focus:	~March	Varies
Power For Progress Scholarships - Post High School Graduates Southwestern Electric Cooperative Inc · Foundation ~March · $1K Since 1995, Southwestern Electric Cooperative's Power For Progress Scholarship Program has provided more than $300,000 in academic assistance to students in the service territory.	~March	$1K
Southeast Polk Dollars For Scholars Southeast Polk Education Foundation Inc · Foundation ~March · $242K Southeast Polk Dollars For Scholars strives to award a scholarship to every student who completes an application.	~March	$242K
Power For Progress Scholarships - High School Students Southwestern Electric Cooperative Inc · Foundation ~March · $1K Since 1995, Southwestern Electric Cooperative's Power For Progress Scholarship Program has provided more than $300,000 in academic assistance to students in the service territory.	~March	$1K
Student Scholarships - College Houston Association of Professional Landmen · Foundation ~March · Varies The Houston Association of Professional Landmen (HAPL) student scholarship program provides monetary aid to support qualifying college students enrolled in AAPL-accredited undergraduate programs pursuing a career in land management.	~March	Varies
TSAFF Scholarship Program Texas State Association of Fire Fighters · Foundation ~March · Varies Annual scholarship program supporting future leaders since 1996. The Fund provides scholarships to eligible dependents of Texas firefighter families entering their first year of college.	~March	Varies
Millard Morris Founder's Scholarship (Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana) Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana · Foundation ~March · $5K 'Each year, the Millard Morris Founder's Scholarship Fund awards a scholarship to a graduating high school senior who is pursuing higher education at a four-year institution.' Criteria are pursuing a college degree in a four-year program…	~March	$5K
CAEF Academic Perseverance Scholarship Casper Area Education Foundation · Foundation ~March · Varies	~March	Varies
The Bocarsly Prize Abode Communities · Foundation ~March · Up to $2K Part of the Beyond Homes Scholarship Program, a discretionary award within a donor-funded initiative to support youth and young adults in achieving long-term economic mobility through housing and access to education.	~March	Up to $2K
EIU Community Ambassador Scholarship Eastern Illinois University Foundation · Foundation ~March · $2K Recognizes individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to higher education and serve as role models in their communities.	~March	$2K
Alabama Poultry Foundation 2+2 Scholarship Program Alabama Poultry Foundation Inc · Foundation ~March · $5K Providing scholarships for students to attend community college for 2 years and then transfer to Auburn University to complete a degree in Poultry Science	~March	$5K
CAEF Trustees Scholarship Casper Area Education Foundation · Foundation ~March · $2K	~March	$2K
Wallace State Community College - Dothan Scholarship (Allied Industry Scholarship) Alabama Poultry Foundation Inc · Foundation ~March · Varies Providing scholarships for students enrolled in the Agricultural Production Program or subsequent Poultry Science Program at Wallace Community College Dothan who intend to transfer to Auburn University and major in Poultry Science	~March	Varies
Gwen Higgins English Scholarship (Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana) Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana · Foundation ~March · $2K 'The Gwen Higgins English Scholarship was established by the family of Mrs. Miriam Gwendolyn Pilcher Higgins to honor her and her love of English literature.	~March	$2K
Richard O. and Frances E. Boisture Scholarship (Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana) Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana · Foundation ~March · $1K 'The Richard O. and Frances E. Boisture Scholarship were established by the family of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Boisture to honor their support of education and community involvement.' 'Each year, The Richard O. and Frances E. Boisture…	~March	$1K
AMERISAFE Community Scholarship (Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana) Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana · Foundation ~March · $2K – $4K 'Each year, the AMERISAFE Community Scholarship Fund awards a scholarship to a graduating high school senior who is pursuing higher education at either a two-year or four-year institution.' Criteria are pursuing a college degree in a two…	~March	$2K – $4K
Teacher Scholarship San Diego Education Fund · Foundation ~March · $14K – $17K	~March	$14K – $17K
STEM Scholarship San Diego Education Fund · Foundation ~March · $14K – $17K	~March	$14K – $17K
CAEF Scholarship Program (Multiple Named Scholarships) Chambersburg Area School District · Foundation ~March · $500 – $10K The Chambersburg Area Education Foundation (CAEF) has awarded over $2 million in scholarships to CASD students for higher education and training.	~March	$500 – $10K
Tacoma Elks Lodge 174 Local Scholarships Benevolent & Protective Order · Foundation ~March · Varies	~March	Varies
ERMC Foundation Scholarship Eaton Rapids Medical Center Foundation · Foundation ~March · $1K To provide local students with assistance in obtaining a degree in healthcare and to encourage interested students to enter the medical field.	~March	$1K
Mahaska Health Healthcare Scholarship Mahaska Hospital Foundation · Foundation ~March · $1K	~March	$1K
United Way of Kaufman County Scholarship United Way of Kaufman County · Foundation ~April · Varies United Way of Kaufman County raises funds within the county and distributes a portion as scholarships to high school seniors pursuing higher education.	~April	Varies

Showing 49–72 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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