| Many articles and websites have been devoted to | | | | purchasing a new home, renovating their current |
| Government Grants and various federal and state | | | | one, or investing in the real estate market in |
| programs where money awarded does not have | | | | general. This program is very broad as the grant |
| to be repaid. Sounds perfect, but there is still one | | | | award can range from $500 to $5,000,000. |
| question: if the money is free how come not all | | | | Housing grants do not have to be repaid which |
| the money is awarded, and the government ends | | | | makes them very popular. These grants cover |
| up with funds being unclaimed at the end of the | | | | most types of real estate. This is the very grant |
| year in some of their grant programs? | | | | category which goes unclaimed every year. |
| It seems there is only one answer to the | | | | American citizens are simply not aware of this |
| question above. People do not know how to take | | | | program. Anyone can quality for this type of |
| advantage of the grants. They do not know how | | | | program. If you are an investor, community |
| to discover and apply for them. That is the very | | | | project planner, or a US tax-paying citizen you |
| reason why this article came about. | | | | can and you should apply. |
| When we hear that our government is giving | | | | Business Grants |
| something away, we assume it is free. The | | | | Grant Budget is $34 billion. The idea behind |
| assumption is incorrect. Our government does not | | | | business grants is to promote the launch of small |
| have its own money, but rather it collects US | | | | businesses. The government believes small |
| dollars by taxing the society. This means the | | | | business helps to create jobs and boost local |
| money behind government grants is ours and it is | | | | economies. Instead of taking out business loans, |
| not really free. The good news is we can try to | | | | companies can apply for business grants and |
| take it back in form of grants as we have every | | | | receive funding that does not require |
| right to apply for our own money. This is the best | | | | reimbursement. Businesses located in areas of |
| shot hard working individuals have to regain taxed | | | | poor economic standing have a high chance of |
| dollars. | | | | success with this grant application. When applying |
| At this point you are wondering how to take my | | | | for business grants, new entrepreneurs can |
| money back. Well it is simple. All you need is a | | | | expect to be required to submit a business plan |
| passion. In case you do not have a passion, try to | | | | that highlights the company goals, mission, |
| come up with something that could interest you in | | | | services and products, target market and more. |
| the near future. | | | | A very smart business plan could be your ticket |
| Now you are saying "Great, every marketing | | | | to successfully landing your business government |
| book starts with stuff related to passion and | | | | grant. |
| slogans like that." Do not be so negative, | | | | Medical/Health Grants |
| government grant opportunities are design for | | | | Grant Budget is $260 billion. Medical grants are |
| specific professions. This means you must have a | | | | very popular these days. These grants exist for |
| specific field you like, and you will be useful to the | | | | nearly every type of medical problem. Those |
| government performing tasks in that particular | | | | citizens who have problems with paying medical |
| profession. Below we will list and talk about all the | | | | bills can apply for medical grants. The medical |
| grant categories, and you will be able to see there | | | | grant provides accessible insurance to low-income |
| is something for everyone. | | | | families. Both Medicaid and Medicare are part of |
| Before we jump into the grants, let us have few | | | | the governments medical grant programs, which |
| words explaining how grants work. Grants are | | | | help ensure that all American people have access |
| awarded based on eligibility and fund availability. | | | | to health coverage. If you are studying to |
| They do not have to be repaid and long as the | | | | become a doctor, or collecting medical research, |
| applicant remains eligible. Knowing this one can | | | | you could qualify for medical research grants or |
| safely assume government grants mostly work | | | | scholarships. These grants do not have to be |
| on first come first serve bases. | | | | repaid. |
| State and federal government agencies give | | | | Who is Eligible |
| grants to individuals, businesses, nonprofit | | | | The following groups are eligible for government |
| organizations, as well as other government | | | | grants: Government Organizations, Education |
| agencies. All these applicants will have to go | | | | Organizations, Public Housing Organizations, |
| through the same application process. First you | | | | For-Profit Organizations, Small Businesses, |
| must find the grants. One you find the grants you | | | | Individuals. Green card holders are eligible for |
| are interested in you have to fill out and submit | | | | government grants. In case you need more |
| your grant application. The applications and | | | | information on eligibility please look up Eligibility |
| directions can be downloaded from the | | | | Tutorial. |
| government website which is a central for | | | | How to Apply |
| government grants. Every grant program has a | | | | Visit the US Government portal for all |
| deadline, so must submit your paperwork on time. | | | | government grants. In order to apply for a grant, |
| Once you are approved for a grant program the | | | | you and/or your organization must complete the |
| government will deposit money into your bank | | | | registration process. Registration can take |
| account in most of the cases. Next a program | | | | between three-five business days or as long as |
| officer will be assigned to whom you will report | | | | two weeks if all steps are not completed in a |
| and direct any questions during the program. This | | | | timely manner. Register for grant opportunities |
| is how grants work. | | | | now. Visit their portal and following the following |
| Now you have a great understanding how federal | | | | steps: |
| grants and state grants work, let us see what is | | | | 1. Download a Grant Application Package |
| available to us. Following are the major grant | | | | 2. Complete the Grant Application Package Step |
| categories: Agriculture, Arts, Business and | | | | 3. Submit the Completed Grant Application |
| Commerce, Community Development, Consumer | | | | Package |
| Protection, Disaster Prevention and Relief, | | | | 4. Track the Status of a Submitted Grant |
| Education, Employment, Labor and Training, | | | | Application Package |
| Energy, Environment, Food and Nutrition, Health, | | | | Where to Apply |
| Housing, Humanities, Income Security, Social | | | | Below are full contact details for US Government |
| Services, Information, Statistics, Law, Justice, | | | | Grants Programs: |
| Legal Services, Natural Resources, Recovery Act, | | | | Phone: 1-800-518-4726 |
| Regional Development, Science, Technology, | | | | U.S. Postal Service Mail Address: |
| Research and Development, and Transportation. | | | | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
| Not enough? There are Other Grants as well. | | | | 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. |
| The list of grant categories is overwhelming, so | | | | Washington, DC 20201 |
| let us select few major categories and describe | | | | Economic Times and Grants |
| them. Some of the most common are: Education | | | | Living through and starting a business in a |
| Grants, Housing Grants, Business Grants, and | | | | recession has its pluses. More government aid is |
| Medical Grants | | | | added for students and new business as money is |
| Education Grants | | | | invested into the future. This means right now its |
| Grant Budget is $100 billion. Education grants are | | | | a perfect time to start a new business or go to |
| one of the favorites when it comes to Financial | | | | college. Average grant award per student was |
| Aid. In most of the time these awards do not | | | | $2,278 in 2009 with a max award being $5,350. |
| have to be repaid. They should be your first | | | | $5,350 per year is a great sum of money for |
| method of financing your education. These grants | | | | college. Most of college grants do not have to be |
| are provided by the governments to help the | | | | repaid therefore making this the perfect grant to |
| youth with tuition payments and other expenses. | | | | apply for if you are planning to go to college. |
| Some of the famous college grants include: | | | | To Sum it All Up |
| National SMART Grant, TEACH Grant, Academic | | | | Government grants exist that could help you |
| Competitiveness Grant, and Pell Grants. Education | | | | sponsor your venture. The success of this |
| grants exist for both undergraduate and graduate | | | | venture is within your own hands. Find something |
| students. | | | | that interests you and apply for free government |
| Housing Grants | | | | grants as you have nothing to lose. Remember, |
| Grant Budget is $42 billion. These grants are | | | | those who are not afraid will be the builders of |
| targeted at new or current homeowners who are | | | | tomorrow. |