Apply For Personal Grants Online For Free

Legitimate grants won’t ever charge you to apply. Here’s how and where to apply for personal grants online for free.

Modest Needs Grants For Personal Use

Modest Needs is a charity helping working people living on low incomes. A Modest Needs grant can be used for a wide range of needs – for example, overdue utility bills, medical expenses not covered by insurance, repairing the vehicle you use for work, or replacing a broken appliance.

When you apply, you’ll need to provide proof of income and proof of the expense you want the grant to cover. Grant amounts typically range from $750 to $1,250.

Read Also: $7,000 Government Grant and step by step guide on how to apply

Free Grant Money To Pay Bills

Low-income households qualify for free grant money to pay bills from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

LIHEAP offer 2 types of grants. Regular grants that go towards your heating and cooling bills, and crisis grants that prevent utility shut-offs, repair broken heating systems, or purchase emergency heating fuel.

Each state program sets qualifying criteria based on household size and income, and sets minimum and maximum grant amounts.

In Indiana, for example, the income limit for a family of 3 is $4,339/month. The minimum grant is $100 and the maximum grant is $675. The winter crisis grant pays up to $800.

LIHEAP also provides weatherization assistance that helps lower bills by making homes more energy efficient.

Find your LIHEAP agency here: https://liheapch.acf.gov/

Free Basic Cell Phone Service

The government’s Lifeline program gives qualifying low-income households free phone service. Recipients get a minimum of 1000 free minutes each month and 4.5GB data. Plan limits vary depending on the Lifeline provider you use, with many offering higher data limits and unlimited calls and texts.

If you already receive governments benefits, like SNAP or Medicaid, you’ll automatically qualify for Lifeline, otherwise eligibility is based on your income and household size.

The income limit for a 3-person household is $2,998/month.

Find Lifeline providers in your state: https://www.lifelinesupport.org/companies-near-me/

Free Rent Assistance Grants From Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities provides free grants to cover unpaid rent and prevent evictions. Grants are available to low-income individuals and families that can prove financial hardship. Hardship includes things like job loss, illness, or a death in the family.

You may be able to apply online, but many offices require an in person visit.

Find your local Catholic Charities office: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/about-us/find-a-local-agency/

Free Personal Grants For College And Trade School

These education grants provide substantial support to low-income students working towards a degree or vocational certification. It’s free to apply, and a combination of federal and state grants could fund the majority of your education.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is worth up to $7,395 per year. The amount you qualify for depends on your income and your cost of attending college.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG is only available to students with exceptional financial need. Funds are also limited for this grant, so awards are made on a first come, first served basis. If you qualify, the FSEOG is worth up to $4,000 per year.

Learn more about federal grants: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell

State Education Grants

State grants vary in their eligibility criteria and award amounts, but all states offer support to low-income students. Some states cover the remaining cost of tuition after federal grants have been applied, other offer a fixed amount. Check your state education website for more information.

Free Money From Government Assistance Programs

If you qualify for government assistance programs, you’ll get free grant money for bills and personal use.

Eligibility for benefit programs and the level of support you qualify for depends on your state, income, and household size. The initial applications for all programs are made online and there’s no fee to apply.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP gives recipients a monthly allowance that can only be spent on food. Income limits and benefit amounts are higher for larger households.

Here’s an example to show you the difference. In Minnesota, a single person can qualify with an income up to $2,510/month and receive up to $292/month. A family of 4 has an income limit of $5,200 and receives up to $975/month.

Get an estimate of how much you might get: https://www.snapscreener.com/

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)

TANF provides monthly cash assistance grants to very low income families with children under the age of 18. The income limits are very low, making TANF one of the harder programs to qualify for. Payments also vary widely among states. Arkansas offers the lowest level of support, with a family of 3 eligible for up to $204/month, while in Minnesota (the most generous state) a family of 3 can get up to $1,370/month.

Lean more: https://www.usa.gov/welfare-benefits

Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV)

If you’re on a low to moderate income, you could qualify for substantial support to help pay your rent. Qualifying income limits are based on household size and tied to the median family income level in your area.

Households qualifying for the program spend no more than 30% of their income on rent. If your household income is $2,000/month, for example, and your rent is $1,100/month, you would be expected to pay $600 towards your rent with the program covering the other $500.

Housing assistance is a valuable benefit and demand for vouchers is very high across the country. Most counties operate waiting lists, so don’t expect to get help right away.

Apply for free housing grants: https://www.hud.gov/contactus/public-housing-contacts