The idea that the federal government has so much money (from the taxes we all pay) that it hands it out for free is part myth and part fact. The myth is that anyone can apply for and receive a cash grant from the government that they don’t need to pay back. That’s false. The fact is the federal government does not offer free money or grants to individuals. Offers and statements to the contrary usually mean someone is trying to sell you something, or is an outright scam. The confusion often stems from us hearing or reading about government grant programs designed to help stimulate the economy in certain regions or sectors. Programs of this type are almost always aimed at entities like state and local governments or agencies that spend the grant money on public projects. Grants are also available for researchers and nonprofits, but even these are limited. The best way to learn about government grants and eligibility requirements is to check out the official Grants.gov website. There you’ll find information about government grant policies, the agencies offering grants, their eligibility and qualification requirements, and how to recognize grant scams.