Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships and grants are critical tools for promoting access to higher education and helping students afford the rising costs of tuition and related expenses. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of tuition, fees, and room and board at public four-year institutions in the United States was $21,950 in the 2020-2021 academic year, and the average cost at private nonprofit four-year institutions was $49,870. Scholarships and grants, such as those offered by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, provide valuable support for students seeking to pursue higher education and can help to reduce the burden of student debt.