Most students who are planning to attend college look for ways to finance their education. Most students cannot afford to pay for their undergraduate or postgraduate course without financial aid in the form of grants and loans. Loans allow thousands of students to complete their education by providing financial assistance. However, college loans need to be repaid with interest. Thus, the best option for students is to look for grants that they are eligible for before considering a student loan.

The U.S. Department of Education’s federal grant programs are undoubtedly the best college grants for students. They are the top choice for financial aid. Here are the top three college grants for students which are not limited to a specific state or university:

The Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are open to all college-bound students. They are awarded only to undergraduates who have not earned a bachelor’s degree or professional degree, and who display an exceptional financial need. However, in some cases, a student enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification program might also be awarded a Federal Pell Grant . However, one is not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant if they are incarcerated in a state or federal institution. A Federal Pell Grant is not a loan, and hence, it does not have to be repaid (except in certain circumstances). Applying for a Federal Pell Grant is quite simple. First, one needs to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. All students need to fill this form every year while they are in college to prove their eligibility for federal aid.  The amount of student aid provided by the Federal Pell Grant changes every year. The maximum amount granted under the Federal Pell Grant for the year 2018-19 is around $6,095. The amount of financial aid received depends upon the factors mentioned below:

• The expected family contribution toward the cost of education
• The cost of attendance (It is determined by the college and changes according to the program in which a student enrolls themselves)
• Status as a full time or part-time student
• The duration for which a student plans to attend the course

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Academic Competitiveness and National SMART Grants
These programs were launched back in 2006. Their primary objective was to meet the growing need for improved science and math instruction. These grants encourage students to opt for more challenging courses in high school with the view that it will increase their chances to succeed in college. The  National SMART grant encourages students to pursue college majors that are in high demand in the global economy like mathematics, technology, critical foreign languages, science, and engineering. Academic Competitiveness Grants provide financial aid to students for their first and second academic year of college. The The  National SMART Grants are available to the students who are in their third and fourth academic years. However, for a student to be eligible for any of these two grants, he or she must be eligible for a Pell Grant for the same award year. Apart from this, the other eligibility criteria are:

• The student has to be a U.S. citizen.
• The student must be enrolled in a full-time degree program.
• The student must be enrolled in a four-year-degree-granting institution.
• The student must be enrolled in one of the following areas of study — Science, engineering, technology, mathematics, liberal arts and sciences, critical foreign language studies, and some natural resource conservation and multidisciplinary programs.
• Also, the student must at least have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average.

On an average, students received $845 for the award year 2018-19 under the Academic Competitiveness Grant program and roughly $3,780 under the National SMART Grant program .

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is undoubtedly one of the best college grants for students who want to study or intern abroad, but have limited financial means. This grant ensures that financial constraints do not limit students who wish to study or intern in a foreign country. The program also encourages students to learn languages, especially critical need languages. Critical need languages are the ones that are important to national security. Veterans of military service are encouraged to apply for the grant, and upon the fulfillment of all criteria, veterans are given preference over other applicants. Below are the eligibility factors for a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The student must be-

• A citizen of the United States
• An undergraduate student with good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States
• A Federal Pell Grant recipient

Additionally, for this grant, the student must be applying for a study abroad program at a country which has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System.