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
Landers Scholars Program St Mary's College of Maryland Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Fully funded four-year scholarship providing comprehensive support to exceptional students from underrepresented backgrounds.	Not published	Varies
First Generation College Opportunity Fund Grant The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The First Generation College Opportunity Fund, established by a generous donor, aims to support first-generation college students in the Nashville area.	Not published	Varies
Wen Bo Wang Scholarship Grant The San Diego Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $5K In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.	Not published	$1K – $5K
A-B Tech Scholarship Children's Well-Being League F/K/a Children's Welfare League · Foundation Not published · $160K An endowed need-based scholarship established to celebrate CWL's 75th anniversary in 2000, designed to help community members attend Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.	Not published	$160K
Rotary Club of Laguna Sunrise Scholarship Grant Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation · Foundation Not published · $2K The Rotary Club of Laguna Sunrise Scholarship, offered by the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation, supports students in the Elk Grove Unified School District.	Not published	$2K
Charles J. Lewin Interfaith Scholarship Grant Southcoast Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Charles J. Lewin Interfaith Scholarship, established by the SouthCoast Community Foundation, aims to support high school seniors and adults from Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, and Plymouth counties in Massachusetts pursuing higher…	Not published	Varies
Basin Electric $2,500 Scholarship Roughrider Electric Cooperative Inc · Foundation Not published · $3K Awards based on academic excellence, including:	Not published	$3K
Assisting Lives Scholarship Program Assisting Lives in Las Vegas · Foundation Not published · Varies Assisting Lives in Las Vegas (an all-volunteer nonprofit) offers a Scholarship Program providing scholarships exclusively to Clark County, Nevada residents (including graduating students) for college degrees and certificates of…	Not published	Varies
Basic Needs & College Success Grant Program San Diego Regional Disaster Fund · Foundation Not published · $30K – $50K The program supports college-access nonprofit organizations that help students meet basic needs and achieve college success.	Not published	$30K – $50K
Michigan Professional Insurance Agents Scholarship (MIPIA) Grant Four County Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K – $2K The Michigan Professional Insurance Agents Scholarship (MIPIA) is offered by the Four County Community Foundation to seniors and recent graduates in Michigan planning to major in Insurance/Risk Management.	Not published	$1K – $2K
Mabry M. Noxon Scholarship Fund Grant Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Easily learn more about the Mabry M. The next deadline for this grant is Thu, 04 Mar 2027.	Not published	Varies
Advanced Course Access (ACA) Program (NY) Grant New York State Education Department · Foundation Not published · Up to $500K The Advanced Course Access (ACA) Program aims to enhance equity in advanced course access for high school students in New York.	Not published	Up to $500K
Marjorie Croll Memorial Scholarship Educational Excellence Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies To provide financial assistance to graduating P-CCS senior high school students who have been accepted to an accredited university or community college and are planning to be a teacher.	Not published	Varies
Mackie McDonald College Fund Usta Foundation Incorporated · Foundation Not published · Varies Launched in spring 2025, the Mackie McDonald College Fund is an initiative that provides college scholarships and supports pathway programs for younger youth, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area.	Not published	Varies
Capital Grants - Education The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg · Foundation Not published · Varies The Weinberg Foundation’s grantmaking reflects the wishes of Harry and Jeanette Weinberg, as outlined in the Foundation’s charter, as well as the laws and public policy that govern private philanthropy in the United States and Israel.	Not published	Varies
Farrand Alumni 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
South High Foundation Scholarships Program Friends of South High Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Fund post-secondary education for South High graduates to support their continued excellence after graduation.	Not published	Varies
Coach Russ Morrell Memorial Scholarship Grant South Dakota Community Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.	Not published	Varies
College Spark Washington: Education Equity Fund Grant College Spark Washington · Foundation Not published · Varies The College Spark Washington: Education Equity Fund invites educational institutions and nonprofits in Washington to submit Letters of Interest (LOIs) aimed at dismantling barriers to equity in education for high school and community…	Not published	Varies
Mentoring and College Readiness at High School of Economics & Finance FWA of New York Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies One of the longest-running New York City School mentoring partnerships, established in 1986. This program provides comprehensive mentoring support to high school sophomores through graduation.	Not published	Varies
rootEd Community College Transfer Scholarship Grant Rooted Alliance Inc · Foundation Not published · Up to $12K The rootEd Community College Transfer Scholarship supports students transitioning from Missouri community colleges to accredited four-year institutions.	Not published	Up to $12K
Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP) Scholarship Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A new scholarship opportunity established by the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program in partnership with the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation and the Los Angeles County Office of Education.	Not published	Varies
Teacher Innovation Grants CMS Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Student Scholarships Lake of the Woods Lions Club Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $30K The LOW Lions provide annual scholarship grants to Orange County High School students, registered OC homeschool students and GED graduates.	Not published	$30K

Showing 793–816 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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