are reserved specifically for students who need it most. State grants. Most states have some kind of grant program. To find these grants and how to apply, check your state's student aid or education web sites. Institutional grants. Institutional grants come from the colleges themselves, and are often used to attract desirable students to their school. How to find out about free grant money When applying for free grant money, the sooner the better. There are many places you can search for grant money and the application process, including: School. Your high school or college financial aid department will be your best resource for finding out about grant money and the application process and deadlines. It's also a good idea to check with your guidance counselor. He or she will walk you through the application process and answer any questions you may have about eligibility or deadline dates. Internet. The internet is chock-full on information on free grant money. However, be careful. Don't get drawn into scams that charge you for lists of scholarships; this information is usually easily accessible. Grants.gov is a government site and a good place to start looking for government and federal grants. College websites are another great resource on the internet for grant information. Most sites have an entire financial aid section, with plenty of information about free grant money. Public library. Public libraries or school libraries are a great resource for finding free grant money. The library will contain many books full of information