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
Howard T. Collins Memorial Scholarship Program Eden Housing Resident Services Inc · Foundation Not published · $96K – $100K The program was created to honor Howard T. Collins' passion for justice and tireless work for the underprivileged.	Not published	$96K – $100K
Asheville Wilbert Vault Service Scholarship Grant The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Inc · Foundation Not published · $4K The Asheville Wilbert Vault Service Scholarship, established by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, offers financial aid to residents pursuing a career in funeral services.	Not published	$4K
Eleanor M. Morrissey Scholarship Fund Grant Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K Easily learn more about the Eleanor M. The next deadline for this grant is Tue, 02 Mar 2027.	Not published	Up to $3K
"Encuentros" Mentorship Program US Mexico Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies A structured mentorship program designed to connect Mexican students with professionals to provide guidance on higher education in the United States and STEM careers.	Not published	Varies
Earl K. Wood Fund Central Florida Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies Awards annual scholarship to high school seniors for tuition and books.	Not published	Varies
Antonio and Antoinette Pieropan Scholarship Fund Grant Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Antonio and Antoinette Pieropan Scholarship Fund, established by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, supports local students from Stockbridge and West Stockbridge pursuing higher education.	Not published	Varies
The Justin Richard Lopes University of South Carolina Award Grant Cumberland Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations.	Not published	Varies
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) Ohio Department of Higher Education · Foundation Not published · Varies The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) is designed to assist Ohio residents with significant financial need, as determined by the FAFSA.	Not published	Varies
Talent Search Program Grant US ED: Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) · Foundation Not published · $250K – $10M The Talent Search Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, aims to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing postsecondary education.	Not published	$250K – $10M
Organization of Korean-American Women of NC Scholarship Grant Cumberland Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Cumberland Community Foundation ("CCF") manages more than 60 scholarship endowment funds created by local individuals, families, civic organizations, and corporations who want to provide a path to higher education for future generations.	Not published	Varies
Isbister Elementary School Scholarship Educational Excellence Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies To provide financial assistance to a high school graduate who attended Isbister Elementary School for grades 3, 4 and 5.	Not published	Varies
Davey Tree Family Scholarship Grant Columbus Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 In 1943, during the darkness of World War II, a group of passionate citizens, led by Columbus businessman Harrison M. Sayre, envisioned a way to improve the well-being of the community and the quality of life in central Ohio.	Not published	$500
Johnson Scholarship (McCone County) Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Foundat · Foundation Not published · $500 – $5K	Not published	$500 – $5K
Graduates Ready to Attain Success in Postsecondary (GRASP) RFA Grant Georgia Department of Education · Foundation Not published · Up to $135K The Graduates Ready to Attain Success in Postsecondary (GRASP) RFA aims to enhance student outcomes in Georgia high schools by funding an additional counselor dedicated to at-risk students.	Not published	Up to $135K
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Listed by Parke County Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies This scholarship program helps Parke County students pursue post-secondary education at accredited institutions.	Not published	Varies
The Veronica Zerrer and Michelle Dungan Scholarship Fund Grant The San Diego Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.	Not published	Varies
Carolyn Kemmeries Student Grants University High School Foundation & Alumni Association · Foundation Not published · Up to $500 In recognition of the tremendous contributions from former UHS Principal, Carolyn Kemmeries, the UHS Foundation and Alumni Association seeks to support UHS students, particularly those who are first generation college bound and in…	Not published	Up to $500
National FFA Scholarship Program National FFA Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $2K The National FFA Scholarship Program awards scholarships to FFA members to support their higher education and career goals in agriculture and related fields.	Not published	$1K – $2K
Liliana Marie Cordes Scholarship Fund Grant Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts · Foundation Not published · Up to $3K The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by: Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs Serving as a resource…	Not published	Up to $3K
Scholarships 2026 Startedup Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $15M STARTedUP Foundation scholarship program for high school students, funded through partnerships with Indiana colleges, universities, and trade schools.	Not published	$15M
Carroll Brunthaver Scholarship The Peer Power Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · $5K The Peer Power Foundation administers the Carroll Brunthaver Scholarship for high school students in Memphis wishing to attend the University of Memphis.	Not published	$5K
Basalt Education Foundation Scholarships Basalt Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · $30K The Basalt Education Foundation awards scholarships to support high school seniors as they take their next steps after graduation.	Not published	$30K
Adelante Scholarship Grant Education Forward Arizona · Foundation Not published · Up to $5K The Adelante Scholarship, offered by Education Forward Arizona in partnership with the Helios Education Foundation and Aliento, aims to empower young adults pursuing higher education.	Not published	Up to $5K
Helen Harman Scholarships Pikeland Public Schools Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies

Showing 817–840 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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