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Government Grants and Loans
Loans
Learn about government grants and loans for states and organizations. The government does not
Affordable Rental Housing offer "free money" for individuals. If you are seeking help, please visit our Benefits page.

Benefits
On This Page
Financial Aid for Students
Free Money from the Government Government Grants
Food Assistance

Grants and Loans Government Loans

Help with Bills

Military Programs and

Benefits

Retirement Free Money from the Government

Social Security Questions
The federal government does not offer grants or “free money” to individuals to start a business or
Unemployment Help cover personal expenses, contrary to what you might see online or in the media. Websites or other
publications claiming to offer "free money from the government" are often scams. Report them to
the Federal Trade Commission.

The government does offer federal benefit programs designed to help individuals and families in
need become self-sufficient or lower their expenses.

Government Grants

What is a grant from the government?

A grant is one of the ways the government funds ideas and projects to provide public services and
stimulate the economy. Grants support critical recovery initiatives, innovative research, and many
other programs listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). Learn more about
grants and types of grants.

Who can get a grant?

The federal government typically awards grants to state and local governments, universities,
researchers, law enforcement, organizations, and institutions planning major projects that will
benefit specific parts of the population or the community as a whole.

Contrary to what you might see online or in the media, the federal government does not offer grants
or “free money” to individuals to start a business, or cover personal expenses. However, the
government offers federal benefit programs designed to help individuals and families in need
become self-sufficient or lower their expenses.

Search and Apply for Government Grants

Use the federal government’s free, official website, Grants.gov rather than commercial sites that
may charge a fee for grant information or application forms. Grants.gov centralizes information
from more than 1,000 government grant programs to help states and organizations find and apply
for grants.

Eligibility - Most of the funding opportunities are for organizations, not individuals.

How to apply - Get tips and tools to help you with the registration and application process. And
learn how to write a successful grant proposal.

Email notifications - Sign up to be notified by email about new grant opportunities.

"Free" Grants and Grant Scams

If you received information stating you qualify for a "free grant," it is probably a scam. Get
information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help you learn to recognize and avoid grant
scams. If you have been a victim of a grant scam, you can file a complaint with the FTC.

Contact your state consumer protection office if you have purchased a book or paid a fee to get
 grant information and are not satisfied.

Government Loans

What is a loan from the government?

Government loans serve a specific purpose such as paying for education, helping with housing or
business needs, or responding to an emergency or crisis.

Loans are different than grants because recipients are required to repay loans, often with interest.

Examples of Government Loans

The federal government offers several types of loans, including:

Student loans

Housing loans, including disaster and home improvement loans

Small Business loans

Search for Government Loans

Use the federal government’s free, official website, GovLoans.gov, rather than commercial sites that
may charge a fee for information or application forms.

GovLoans.gov directs you to information on loans for agriculture, business, disaster relief, education,
housing, and for veterans.

Eligibility - Use the online pre-screening tool.

How to apply - Each loan program has its own application process.

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Last Updated: March 25, 2019

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