Dana is an avid crafter who has shared her passion and knowledge with many media outlets. She has a B.A. in Journalism and has been a freelance writer for nearly 20 years.
People love to receive absolutely free government money. While you'll still need to apply for the money and meet criteria set out by the agency in charge, it's worth looking into if you need financial help.
Finding Money
Although the government has a number of programs that provide grants and other financial assistance, researching these programs and applying for funds requires a significant time investment on your part. Grants never need to be repaid, but do not mistake grant programs for the lottery. It's important to realize that the government isn't just handing out blank checks to anyone who asks. Keep in mind the following points:
Free money is only available to qualified applicants who meet certain eligibility requirements.
Funds received must be used only for the requested purpose. For example, you are not allowed to use a college grant to pay for a new stereo system for your car.
If you provide false information in order to receive government money, you can be charged with a crime.
Grants and other financial assistance programs are limited and there are specific deadlines for submitting applications, so there's no guarantee that everyone who qualifies will receive money.
Federal Grants for College
If you'd like to go back to school to earn your degree, the United States government is a wonderful resource. There are several grant programs available to help you pay for college.
Federal Pell Grants provide up to $5,200 per year for low-income college students to pay for tuition and fees.
Students who have low incomes but a solid academic achievement record can receive Academic Competitiveness Grants of up to $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second year of schooling.
There are also grants available to help single parents obtain their college degree.
Finding money to start your own business can be difficult, but it's not an impossible task. If you visit your state's economic development agency Web site, you can learn more about financing opportunities.
Even if you can't find any grant programs that you are eligible for, you may be able to receive tax abatements, urban renewal set-asides, or in-kind credits to help reduce the costs of starting your business.
Housing-Related Financial Assistance
Control your household budget with government asssitance for your home and housing-related bills.
Homeownership is a vital part of the American dream, but paying for needed home repairs can be a strain on your household budget. Luckily, free government grants for home repairs are available to those who qualify. For example:
The U.S. Department of Energy operates a weatherization assistance program to help low-income families reduce their utility bills by making their homes more energy efficient.
If repairs are needed as the result of damage caused by flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters, FEMA may be able to provide monetary assistance.
Assistance With Healthcare Needs
For many people, coping with rising healthcare costs is a significant concern. The following are examples of some of the government programs that address this issue:
Medicaid coverage is available to certain low-income individuals and families.
Medicare provides health insurance coverage for people age 65 or older, people with disabilities under age 65, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease.
Those who qualify for Medicare may be eligible for prescription drug coverage under Part D.
Resources for Additional Grants
To learn more about how you can receive absolutely free government money, visit the following helpful resources:
New USA Funding can help match you with the government grant programs that are right for you.
USA Grant Applications provides easy access to application forms for various types of grant programs.
USA.gov provides a listing of links to information about government programs ranging from adoption assistance to youth education.
GovernmentBenefits.gov lets you search through more than 1,000 government programs to locate funding opportunities to fit your specific needs.
Grants.gov helps you research and apply for various federal government grants.
Grants Provide Financial Assistance
While grants may not cover all of your bills, or even all of the bill they are assisting with paying, they are one of the few ways to receive free money from the government. Apply for the money you need to stay financially solvent.
