
{"id":2215,"date":"2025-03-29T00:36:19","date_gmt":"2025-03-29T08:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/?p=2215"},"modified":"2026-08-31T17:52:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T01:52:11","slug":"grants-vs-scholarships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/grants-vs-scholarships\/","title":{"rendered":"Grants vs. Scholarships: What&#8217;s the Difference and How to Get Both!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Okay, so you&#8217;re wondering about grants and scholarships, right? Lots of folks get them mixed up. They both help pay for college, which is awesome, but they work in different ways. This guide will break down the basics. We&#8217;ll cover what they are, how to qualify, and even how to combine them to save you money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s the Key Difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First things first, let\u2019s get the main thing straight:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Grants<\/strong> are usually given out based on how much money your family makes. It&#8217;s all about financial need.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scholarships<\/strong> are different. You can get them for all kinds of reasons. Maybe you&#8217;re a super-smart student, or you&#8217;re great at sports, or you have a cool background. It could be a mix of everything!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The best part, though? You don&#8217;t have to pay either of them back! Free money for college? Yes, please!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-canvas-1024x575.png\" alt=\"Grants vs. Scholarships: Know the Difference!\n\" class=\"wp-image-2217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-canvas-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-canvas-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-canvas-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-canvas-1536x862.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Untitled-canvas.png 1825w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Platforms like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Cirkled in<\/a> allow you to build a comprehensive profile that highlights these unique qualities, making your scholarship applications stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#F3D08A;color:#082033;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M12 2a10 10 0 1 0 0 20 10 10 0 0 0 0-20zm.9 15.4v1.2h-1.6v-1.2c-1.5-.2-2.5-1-2.7-2.4h1.7c.1.7.7 1.1 1.8 1.1 1 0 1.6-.4 1.6-1s-.4-.9-1.9-1.2c-1.8-.4-2.9-1-2.9-2.5 0-1.2.9-2.1 2.4-2.3V6.4h1.6v1.4c1.3.2 2.2 1 2.4 2.2h-1.7c-.1-.6-.6-1-1.5-1s-1.5.4-1.5 1c0 .5.5.8 1.9 1.1 1.9.4 2.9 1 2.9 2.6 0 1.3-.9 2.2-2.4 2.3z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">Find Scholarships That Fit You<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#5a4212\">Discover free money for college and start reducing what you&#8217;ll owe.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#0A3D5C;color:#fff;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Find Scholarships<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Grants: Where Does the Money Come From?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Grants are often linked to your family&#8217;s income. They can come from different places:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The U.S. government<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Your state government<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The college you plan to attend<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s zoom in a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide horizontal-cta-main has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-a41ccf215ae5874eb1c0199de7f4c095\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background:linear-gradient(144deg,rgb(0,148,211) 0%,rgb(20,112,151) 100%);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group horizontal-cta-content is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find Grants and Scholarships for College<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore funding opportunities that can help reduce your college costs without adding to your student loan balance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons horizontal-cta-1 is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background-color:#edae39\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><strong>Find Scholarships<\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Federal Pell Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These are super common. Your family&#8217;s money situation decides if you can get one. Pell Grants are for undergrad students, and you apply using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If you&#8217;re eligible, they can take care of a big chunk of tuition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">State Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most states have their own grant programs. Rules can change from state to state. Some might have income limits. Some might look at your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/college-applications-and-admissions\/applying-college-low-gpa-test-optional-strengths\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">grades or test scores<\/a>. Find out what&#8217;s available in your state! Check with your state&#8217;s higher education people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Institutional Grants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Colleges also hand out grants. Some are need-based, others are based on merit. Colleges often use your FAFSA info to decide who gets them. Private schools with lots of money sometimes give out really good grants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#1E90C9;color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#F5C563\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M4 5h5l2 2h9a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v10a1 1 0 0 1-1 1H4a1 1 0 0 1-1-1V6a1 1 0 0 1 1-1z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">Showcase Everything You&#8217;ve Achieved<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#e8f5fd\">Scholarship committees want the whole you \u2014 build a profile that shows your achievements, activities, and story.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#EDAE39;color:#072A40;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Start My Profile<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diving into Scholarships: What Makes You Special?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Scholarships are popular, and there&#8217;s a reason for that. You can get them for pretty much anything. Good grades? Check. Athletic skills? Check. Helping out in the community? Check. Having a unique background? Check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some typical scholarship types:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Merit-Based Scholarships:<\/strong> These go to students with great grades. Think high GPAs, good test scores, and awesome stuff you&#8217;ve done outside of class. You&#8217;ll probably need to write essays, get letters of recommendation, or even do interviews.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Need-Based Scholarships:<\/strong> These are for students whose families can&#8217;t afford all the college costs. Like with grants, you&#8217;ll likely need to fill out the FAFSA to show how much help you need.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Scholarship Categories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some scholarships are a bit different. They don&#8217;t always fit into just &#8220;merit&#8221; or &#8220;need.&#8221; Some are more specific:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What you&#8217;re studying<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/resume-and-portfolio-building\/portfolio-direct-admit-nursing-business-engineering\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">like nursing or computer science<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Who you are<\/strong> (like scholarships for women in science, or for students of certain backgrounds)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>What you like to do<\/strong> (like music, sports, or volunteering)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/scholarship-hub-student\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Use good scholarship search websites<\/a> to find ones that are a good fit for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To showcase your well-rounded achievements beyond just grades, consider building a comprehensive profile on platforms like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Cirkled in<\/a>. This platform allows you to highlight extracurriculars, projects, and unique skills, which can be invaluable when applying for merit-based scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide vertical-cta-main has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-3ead5e47a2a8def449e1e63e2c390dd5\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background:linear-gradient(144deg,rgb(0,148,211) 0%,rgb(20,112,151) 100%);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group vertical-cta-content is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Discover Free Money for College<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Grants and scholarships can both help pay for school. Search opportunities that fit your background and education goals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons horizontal-cta-1 is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background-color:#edae39\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Search Scholarships<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Actually Apply for These Things<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It takes a little work, but going after financial aid is worth it! It can seriously lower what you pay for college. Here&#8217;s what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fill out the FAFSA ASAP.<\/strong> You need it for most grants and tons of scholarships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Search for scholarships online.<\/strong> Also, talk to your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/mental-health-and-well-being\/school-counselor-mental-health-support-ally\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">school counselor or the financial<\/a> aid office.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep track of deadlines!<\/strong> Lots of scholarships close months before college starts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Write good essays that tell <\/strong><strong><em>your<\/em><\/strong><strong> story.<\/strong> Be real!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ask people who know you well to write you letters.<\/strong> They should talk about your good points.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The sooner you start, the better your chances. Seriously!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for Getting More Aid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to get as much money as possible? Try these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Apply to a bunch of colleges.<\/strong> Compare their financial aid offers to see who gives you the best deal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep your grades up!<\/strong> Lots of scholarships have GPA rules.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Get involved in stuff<\/strong> \u2013 clubs, sports, volunteering. It makes your application look better.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ask for more money!<\/strong> Some colleges will give you more if another school offers you a better deal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t stop after just one application.<\/strong> There\u2019s free money out there \u2013 go get it!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: Grants vs. Scholarships: Know the Difference!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowing the difference between grants and scholarships is super important. Understanding how to apply for them is even better. Whether you can get a Pell Grant or you&#8217;re going after competitive scholarships, understanding your options helps you create the best financial aid plan. Start early, stay organized, and apply everywhere. Remember, college can be affordable! You got this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Need more tips on&nbsp;<strong>college applications<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>scholarships<\/strong>, or just how to survive this whole process?&nbsp;<strong>Cirkled In<\/strong>&nbsp;has your back\u2014check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Cirkled In resources<\/a>&nbsp;to help you through every step of your college journey!<br>Check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><strong>Cirkled In<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/a>and start owning your future today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-52fd0eb333f3877fdeb98ff49baf469c is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(220,233,241) 0%,rgb(166,215,230) 100%);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group vertical-cta-content is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Build Your College Funding Mix<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore scholarships alongside grants and other financial aid options to create a smarter plan for paying for college.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons horizontal-cta-1 is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background-color:#2795d0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Explore Opportunities<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#EDAE39;color:#082033;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M18 4h2a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v2a4 4 0 0 1-4 4h-.4A6 6 0 0 1 13 14.9V17h3v2H8v-2h3v-2.1A6 6 0 0 1 7.4 11H7a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V5a1 1 0 0 1 1-1h2V3h12v1zM6 6H5v1a2 2 0 0 0 1 1.7V6zm13 0v2.7A2 2 0 0 0 20 7V6h-1z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">$2,500 No-Sweat Scholarship<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#5a3a10\">Real students win our $2,500 scholarship every quarter \u2014 yours could be next.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#0A3D5C;color:#fff;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-related\" style=\"background:#e7f1fb;border-radius:16px;padding:20px 24px;margin:30px 0 16px;font-family:inherit\"><div style=\"color:#2b6f9c;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 4px\">Keep Reading<\/div><div style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:800;color:#0A3D5C;margin:0 0 10px\">Related Articles<\/div><a 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6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Beyond GPA: Find \u201cHidden\u201d Scholarships You Can Actually Win<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/negotiate-college-financial-aid-award\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Get More College Money: How to Negotiate Financial Aid Like a Pro<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/college-merit-aid\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Merit Aid Deep Dive: How Colleges Award Scholarships Based on Academics, Talent &amp;amp; More (and How to Maximize Yours)<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/fafsa-vs-css-profile-comparison\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">FAFSA vs. CSS Profile: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Key Sections &amp;amp; Required Info<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-related\" style=\"background:#f1f4f7;border-radius:16px;padding:18px 24px;margin:0 0 16px;font-family:inherit\"><div style=\"color:#6b7a8a;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 4px\">Good to Know<\/div><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;color:#0A3D5C;margin:0 0 8px\">Helpful Resources<\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;padding:7px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#33475b;font-weight:600;font-size:14.5px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#5a6b78\" stroke-width=\"2\" style=\"flex:0 0 13px\"><path d=\"M14 5h5v5M19 5l-8 8M11 5H6a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v12a1 1 0 0 0 1 1h12a1 1 0 0 0 1-1v-5\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/understand-aid\/types\/loans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;padding:7px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#33475b;font-weight:600;font-size:14.5px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#5a6b78\" stroke-width=\"2\" style=\"flex:0 0 13px\"><path d=\"M14 5h5v5M19 5l-8 8M11 5H6a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v12a1 1 0 0 0 1 1h12a1 1 0 0 0 1-1v-5\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Federal Student Loans<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\/understand-aid\/types\/grants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;padding:7px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#33475b;font-weight:600;font-size:14.5px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#5a6b78\" stroke-width=\"2\" style=\"flex:0 0 13px\"><path d=\"M14 5h5v5M19 5l-8 8M11 5H6a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v12a1 1 0 0 0 1 1h12a1 1 0 0 0 1-1v-5\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Federal Grants<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/collegescorecard.ed.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;padding:7px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#33475b;font-weight:600;font-size:14.5px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#5a6b78\" stroke-width=\"2\" style=\"flex:0 0 13px\"><path d=\"M14 5h5v5M19 5l-8 8M11 5H6a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v12a1 1 0 0 0 1 1h12a1 1 0 0 0 1-1v-5\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">College Scorecard<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>.ci-why-tiles{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:11px}.ci-why-tiles .ci-wide{grid-column:span 2}@media(max-width:600px){.ci-why-tiles{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}<\/style><div class=\"ci-auto-footer\" style=\"border-radius:16px;padding:26px 26px 24px;margin:16px 0 6px;background:linear-gradient(150deg,#0A3D5C 0%,#0c3350 55%,#072A40 100%);color:#fff;font-family:inherit\"><div style=\"color:#F5C563;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:1.4px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 6px\">Why Cirkled In?<\/div><div style=\"font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 9px\">You\u2019re more than a test score \u2014 get discovered.<\/div><p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#d6e4ef;margin:0 0 18px\">You have a story, and Cirkled In helps you tell it \u2014 shining a light on who you are so the right colleges find you. Find your dream college, gain real experience, and win scholarships, all at one hub.<\/p><div class=\"ci-why-tiles\"><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#2EA9E0;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#F5C563\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M4 5h5l2 2h9a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v10a1 1 0 0 1-1 1H4a1 1 0 0 1-1-1V6a1 1 0 0 1 1-1z\"\/><\/svg>Create My Portfolio<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/college\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#147097;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#fff\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M12 3 1 8l11 5 9-4.1V15h2V8L12 3z\"\/><path d=\"M5 12.7v3.3c0 1.2 3.1 3 7 3s7-1.8 7-3v-3.3l-7 3.2-7-3.2z\"\/><\/svg>Research 7,000+ Colleges<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#F3D08A;color:#082033;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M12 2a10 10 0 1 0 0 20 10 10 0 0 0 0-20zm.9 15.4v1.2h-1.6v-1.2c-1.5-.2-2.5-1-2.7-2.4h1.7c.1.7.7 1.1 1.8 1.1 1 0 1.6-.4 1.6-1s-.4-.9-1.9-1.2c-1.8-.4-2.9-1-2.9-2.5 0-1.2.9-2.1 2.4-2.3V6.4h1.6v1.4c1.3.2 2.2 1 2.4 2.2h-1.7c-.1-.6-.6-1-1.5-1s-1.5.4-1.5 1c0 .5.5.8 1.9 1.1 1.9.4 2.9 1 2.9 2.6 0 1.3-.9 2.2-2.4 2.3z\"\/><\/svg>Find 6,500+ Scholarships<\/a><a class=\"ci-wide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/internship-and-jobs\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#1F5F8B;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#fff\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><rect x=\"10.3\" y=\"2.4\" width=\"3.4\" height=\"2.2\" rx=\"1.1\"\/><rect x=\"5\" y=\"4.6\" width=\"14\" height=\"16.8\" rx=\"2.4\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"7.4\" y=\"7.4\" width=\"9.2\" height=\"3.4\" rx=\"1\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"13\" width=\"8\" height=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"16\" width=\"8\" height=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"19\" width=\"5\" height=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg>Explore 24,000+ Internships, Jobs &amp; Volunteering<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#EDAE39;color:#082033;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M18 4h2a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v2a4 4 0 0 1-4 4h-.4A6 6 0 0 1 13 14.9V17h3v2H8v-2h3v-2.1A6 6 0 0 1 7.4 11H7a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V5a1 1 0 0 1 1-1h2V3h12v1zM6 6H5v1a2 2 0 0 0 1 1.7V6zm13 0v2.7A2 2 0 0 0 20 7V6h-1z\"\/><\/svg>Win the $2,500 Scholarship<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Okay, so you&#8217;re wondering about grants and scholarships, right? Lots of folks get them mixed up. They both help pay for college, which is awesome, but they work in different ways. This guide will break down the basics. We&#8217;ll cover what they are, how to qualify, and even how to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2216,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[188,2116,2117,2118,2119,2120,2121,2122,2123,2124],"class_list":["post-2215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-scholarships-and-financial-aid","tag-scholarship-application-tips","tag-grants-vs-scholarships","tag-understanding-financial-aid","tag-federal-pell-grants","tag-state-grants-explained","tag-institutional-grants-guide","tag-types-of-scholarships","tag-how-to-get-more-financial-aid","tag-college-funding-strategies","tag-maximizing-grants-scholarships"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Grants vs. Scholarships: What&#039;s the Difference and How to Get Both! - Cirkled In<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Grants vs. Scholarships: Understand the key differences, eligibility, and application tips to maximize your financial aid for college! 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