84 Need-Based Scholarships for College (2026 - 2027)

Need-Based Scholarships and College Grants

Need-based scholarships and grants are forms of financial aid awarded to students who demonstrate financial need rather than academic merit alone. These programs exist to make college affordable for students from low- and middle-income families by covering tuition, fees, textbooks, and living expenses. Unlike loans, need-based aid does not need to be repaid, making it one of the most valuable resources in a student’s financial aid package. Funding comes from federal and state governments, private foundations, nonprofits, and colleges or universities directly. Because the cost of college continues to rise, need-based scholarships and grants play a critical role in ensuring that students from all economic backgrounds can pursue higher education.

What Are Some Federal Grants Based on Need?

Several major federal programs provide need-based grants to help students nationwide afford college. These grants are awarded after a student completes the FAFSA and are often included automatically in financial aid packages for eligible students. The most important federal need-based grants include:

• Pell Grant: The largest federal need-based program, offering thousands of dollars annually to low-income undergraduate students. Award amounts are based on family income, household size, and enrollment status.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Available to students with exceptional financial need. Funds are limited and awarded by individual colleges, with priority given to Pell Grant recipients.
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: Provides financial support to students whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service after 9/11. Students must not be Pell-eligible due to EFC requirements but must meet all other Pell criteria.
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant: Offers funding for aspiring teachers who agree to teach in high-need fields and low-income schools—though this award can convert to a loan if service requirements are not met.

Federal grants form the foundation of need-based financial aid and are often supplemented by state and institutional programs.

Do Need-Based Scholarships Need to Be Paid Back?

No. Need-based scholarships and grants are categorized as gift aid, meaning they do not need to be repaid as long as students meet the program requirements. These awards are designed to reduce student loan dependency and make higher education financially accessible. However, students must ensure that they remain eligible by maintaining satisfactory academic progress, staying enrolled at least half-time when required, and using the funds for education-related expenses such as tuition, books, housing, or school supplies.

What Need-Based Scholarships and Grants Are Available for College Students?

College students across the U.S. can access a wide range of need-based scholarships and grants funded by federal agencies, states, nonprofits, and universities. These awards help reduce out-of-pocket costs and ensure that students can continue their education without taking on excessive debt. Examples include:

• Pell Grant: Federal funding for undergraduates with financial need.
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship: One of the nation’s largest private scholarships, awarding up to $55,000 per year to high-achieving students with financial need.
• Horatio Alger Scholarship: Supports students who have overcome hardship and demonstrated financial need and perseverance.
• Institutional Aid Programs: Universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Amherst provide generous need-based aid packages that meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students.
• State-Specific Need-Based Grants: Many states offer grants like the Cal Grant (California), TAP (New York), and MASSGrant (Massachusetts) for eligible residents.

Students should apply for as many of these opportunities as possible to maximize financial support and minimize borrowing.

What Are the Requirements for Need-Based Scholarships?

Eligibility for need-based scholarships and grants varies by program, but most require documentation of financial need as well as basic academic and enrollment criteria. Common requirements include:

• Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, for some institutions, a school-specific financial aid form such as the CSS Profile.
• Demonstration of financial need through income, assets, and household information.
• Enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program.
• Maintenance of satisfactory academic progress, typically defined by a minimum GPA and successful completion of coursework.
• Additional materials for certain scholarships, such as essays, letters of recommendation, or proof of hardship.

Students should review each program’s requirements carefully to ensure they remain eligible throughout their academic journey.

Are There Need-Based Scholarships for International Students?

Yes. Many top universities and international organizations provide need-based financial assistance for students from outside the United States. These programs help ensure global access to high-quality education and support international students with financial need. Examples include:

• Harvard, Yale, and Amherst College: Offer need-based aid packages that meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted international students.
• Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program: Provides full funding for graduate students from developing countries pursuing degrees related to development.
• American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship: Covers full tuition for international students who demonstrate both leadership and financial need.
• International Student Emergency Grants: Many institutions offer crisis grants for international students facing sudden financial hardship.

Because international students cannot access U.S. federal aid, institutional and private scholarships are often their primary sources of need-based funding.

What Is Need-Based Financial Aid?

Need-based financial aid refers to financial assistance awarded primarily on the basis of a student’s financial circumstances. This category includes grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and subsidized student loans. The goal is to make higher education accessible to students who might not otherwise be able to afford the cost of attendance. Need-based aid is calculated using FAFSA or CSS Profile information, which evaluates family income, assets, and household size. Many colleges also provide school-funded grants to ensure affordability for admitted students.

What Are Need-Based Grants?

Need-based grants are financial awards that do not require repayment as long as eligibility criteria are met. They come from federal, state, and institutional sources and can significantly reduce tuition and fees. Examples include:

• Federal Pell Grant and FSEOG: Core federal grants for students with financial need.
• Cal Grant (California): Offers tuition assistance to low-income students attending approved institutions in California.
• New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): Provides grant funding to New York residents enrolled in approved colleges.
• MASSGrant (Massachusetts): Need-based aid for in-state students attending public or private colleges.
• Institutional Grants: Many colleges award grants from their own budgets to fill any remaining financial gap after federal and state aid.

Students should apply for both federal and state grants each year because many programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Which Universities Offer Need-Based Scholarships?

Many of the top universities in the U.S. offer generous need-based scholarships that meet full demonstrated financial need for admitted students. These institutions often have substantial endowments that allow them to provide extensive financial support to ensure access regardless of a student’s economic background. Examples include:

• Harvard University: Meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Many families earning under $75,000 pay no tuition.
• Yale University: Offers comprehensive need-based aid to domestic and international students.
• Princeton University: Replaced all loans with grants, ensuring students graduate debt-free.
• Amherst College: One of the first colleges to adopt a no-loan financial aid policy.
• University of Chicago: Provides need-based financial aid packages that cover full demonstrated need.

These universities help ensure that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from attending top-tier institutions.