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
DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program (DC) Grant District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education · Foundation Not published · Up to $24K The DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program provides need-based funding for District of Columbia residents pursuing their first associate or bachelor’s degree at select colleges.	Not published	Up to $24K
Dietz & Company Architects 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
Ragland Family Education Foundation Scholarship Grant Ragland Family Education Foundation · Foundation Not published · $5K – $20K The Ragland Family Education Foundation Scholarship offers $20,000 to Oklahoma students pursuing degrees in STEM fields.	Not published	$5K – $20K
Andreason Scholarship Amador Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Dell Scholars Program Michael & Susan Dell Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Dell Scholars program provides comprehensive, individualized support to help students succeed in college and transition to meaningful careers. The program has helped more than 7,000 students achieve their educational and career goals.	Not published	Varies
Leaders for Tomorrow National Scholarship Program The Annexstad Family Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies The Annexstad Family Foundation's flagship scholarship program that provides full financial support to deserving undergraduate students who have overcome extraordinary challenges in their lives.	Not published	Varies
Phyllis Kosiorek Cordner and Roy R. Cordner Scholarship Fund Grant Hartford Foundation for Public Giving · Foundation Not published · $1K – $2K The Phyllis Kosiorek Cordner and Roy R. Cordner Scholarship Fund, established by Roy Cordner in memory of his wife, supports 3-5 graduating high school seniors from Rockville, Manchester, and East Catholic High Schools in Connecticut.	Not published	$1K – $2K
Pittsburgh Foundation Economic Mobility Grants: Access to Post-Secondary Education The Pittsburgh Foundation · Foundation Not published · $10K – $75K The Pittsburgh Foundation Economic Mobility Grants aim to enhance access to post-secondary education for low-income families.	Not published	$10K – $75K
Innovation Awards Growing Inland Achievement · Foundation Not published · $150K	Not published	$150K
Pedro Pallares Foundation Scholarship Program The Pedro Pallares Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
Ciro and Kim Toma Community Service Scholarship Amador Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies	Not published	Varies
MCAN: Local College Access Networks Grants: Planning Grants Michigan College Access Network · Foundation Not published · Up to $20K The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) offers Planning Grants of up to $20,000 to foster community-based Local College Access Networks (LCANs).	Not published	Up to $20K
Invest for Kids General Grant Program Invest for Kids Inc · Foundation Not published · Average award about $200,000	Not published	Average award about $200,000
Alabama Poultry Foundation Allied Industry Scholarship - Gadsden State Cherokee Community College Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies Providing scholarships for students enrolled in the Agricultural Production Program or subsequent Poultry Science Program at Gadsden State Cherokee Community College who intend to transfer to Auburn University.	Not published	Varies
Merit Scholarship Awards Service League of Hickory Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K – $2K	Not published	$1K – $2K
Running Start The Foundation for Santa Barbara City College · Foundation Not published · Varies Running Start is a summer bridge program for high school graduates who are financially and/or academically underprepared for college.	Not published	Varies
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America: Financial Sustainability Grant Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America · Foundation Not published · $50K – $75K The Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America offers the Financial Sustainability Grant to support nonprofit organizations that promote economic inclusion and financial stability.	Not published	$50K – $75K
Grove Family Fund #1 Grant The Foundation for Enhancing Communities · Foundation Not published · Varies The Grove Family Fund #1, managed by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, is dedicated to supporting local high school students from specific schools in Central Dauphin County.	Not published	Varies
Marion A. and Ruth K. Sherwood Family Scholarship Fund - Current College Student Grant Grand Haven Area Community Foundation Inc · Foundation Not published · Varies The Marion A. and Ruth K. Sherwood Family Scholarship Fund supports current college students from the Tri-Cities area, promoting academic achievement and community involvement.	Not published	Varies
Sophie M. and John F. Yoney Scholarship Fund Grant The Pittsburgh Foundation · Foundation Not published · $1K Easily learn more about the Sophie M. and John F. The next deadline for this grant is Wed, 17 Feb 2027.	Not published	$1K
Educational Scholarships for First Generation and Low-Income Students Latino Community Fund Inc · Foundation Not published · $1K To support qualifying high school students across the state interested in pursuing higher education and working with member organizations. For more information, visit lcfgeorgia.org or contact Latino Community Fund Georgia.	Not published	$1K
Sallie E. Davis Scholarship Fund for The Glenn School of Public Affairs Grant Columbus Foundation · Foundation Not published · $500 Easily learn more about the Sallie E. The next deadline for this grant is Tue, 02 Mar 2027.	Not published	$500
Manasota ASALH Scholarship Grant Manasota Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) · Foundation Not published · Varies The Manasota ASALH Scholarship offers financial support to Black high school seniors in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate leadership within their school and community.	Not published	Varies
Gallimore/Sweet Scholarship Educational Excellence Foundation · Foundation Not published · Varies To provide financial assistance to a P-CCS graduate who attended Gallimore Elementary School.	Not published	Varies

Showing 121–144 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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