There are a number of grants, scholarships and loans available to women today. Though many are small in amount it’s possible to get more than one grant or scholarship for the woman who puts the effort into finding grants and scholarships and the work into applying for them. How do women find grants and scholarships? Unfortunately, finding the right scholarships, grants or loans takes time and diligence. High school guidance offices are usually the first to receive information regarding current financial aid resources. School and public librarians can also help with locating print and internet sources. Student loans are always available, but at some point they must be paid back. A better option is to take advantage of college grants that may be available. If you are an African American, there are college grants available that are designed to help you pay for your education. There are many grants available for minorities. Grants Available to College Students Federal grants for college are awarded by the federal government and are free to the student. These federal grants do not have to be repaid by the student. Of course everyone would like to receive grants instead of using student loans to pay for college costs. Where to Get Help Finding Grants or Completing Grant Applications Attempting to get grants for college can seem extremely overwhelming, however, there are dozens of ways to find assistance in selecting grants to apply for, as well as completing the actual grant application process. Current programs include Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants, Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants, National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants. These student grants are both need-based and merit-based. However, the United States government offers numerous grants and scholarships for higher education, and these grants do not require repayment. Some grants are need-based, which means that financial need is the biggest determining factor for student eligibility. The best ways to locate information about state grants are to speak directly with the schools financial aid office or simply search the web for grants available in the student’s home state. There are four grants that the federal government offers. While these grants are not specific to mothers wanting to go to college, they are the easiest to apply for. In order to take advantage of federal aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The Internet is a great tool in the search for grant monies for adult students. Using a search engine and keywords, adults can find many more opportunities for grants and scholarships that could apply to their circumstances and life. Plus, many applications for grants are available online.