Minority women are awarded federal grants for various reasons including starting or expanding a business, continuing their education and housing needs. The federal grants for minority women can range from $5,000 to $500,000 or more, depending on the federal agency and the type of grant being awarded.
Minorities
Minority groups of women include African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, Native-American and several others. Some federal grants are awarded for minority women in general, not a specific group. However, each minority group may have grants that are specifically awarded to their ethnicity. For instance, the Hispanic Fund Institute lists only grants available to Latino Americans.
Educational Grants
A minority woman wanting to return to school is eligible for federal funding. One of the federal funds available to minority women who meet income requirements, and are attending a college or university that receives federal funds is the Federal Pell Grant. The grant was established in 1972, and originally called the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant. To apply for the Federal Pell Grant, a student should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
SBA Assistance
Minority women who are interested in starting a business can qualify for federal business grants. The grants awarded depend on the type of business a woman is opening, and the amount of awards the federal agency has available to minority women. The Small Business Administration can help a minority woman locate federal grants or programs for minority women. In addition to locating the grants, the administration offers help to minority women with applying for the federal grants.
Types Of Minority Grants For Women
Federal grants do not just apply for education or businesses; federal grants have other functions. Minority women who need help with housing, medical expenses and other personal bills can qualify for federal grants. A minority woman who is looking for affordable housing grants can contact her local HUD office for the federal grant application.
Warning
Recipients of the minority women grants should know the rules about the grants. For instance, the federal Pell grant does not have to be repaid, as long as all academic requirements are met. For federal business grants awarded to minority businesswomen, the grants may not have to be paid back, but the federal agency awarding the funds may require the business to donate funding to other minority-owned small businesses in the future. Each federal agency that awards grants has its own stipulation on the repayment or regulations of federal grants.
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