Students pursuing an education in chemical science can access college grants to alleviate the cost of obtaining a chemistry related degree. In addition numerous others sources of school and college grants for chemistry majors are available from professional organizations to help with tuition fees and related college costs.

Chemistry associated education continues to be a popular academic study choice for degree seeking students looking to pursue careers spanning several industries; the most popular being education, industry, manufacturing and technology. Although degrees in chemistry continue to be popular, students studying chemist science have traditionally been white males. Diversification is important in all academic disciplines and in recent year’s financial aid and grants programs have been implemented to encourage more minority chemistry students such as African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and women to participate in underrepresented areas of study..

Federal Government Grants

Government grant programs are the most popular and widely available sources of financial aid for chemistry and chemist science students. Below we take a look at the most common grant programs offered by the federal financial aid system that provide help to all college students who present need for assistance in addition subject related grants.

The federal Pell grant awards up to $5,500 during the 2010-2011 academic year to qualifying students. The award is based on the financial need analysis of each applicant according to the information submitted on the FAFSA application. If students are awarded the Pell grant, they will automatically be assessed for eligibility for the following federal grant programs:

  • The ACG (Academic Competitiveness Grant) – awarded to freshmen and sophomore undergraduates that display outstanding academic talent. Usually awarded to students in the top percentage of their high school major.
  • The National SMART Grant (National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant) is worth up to $4000 per year and is available to undergraduate school and college students who are among the top achievers in their area of study in 3rd and 4th years of math, chemistry, engineering and science related degree programs.

Grants from Professional Organizations

In addition to government, grant programs, a small number of professional organizations support undergraduates pursuing degrees in chemistry and science related subjects. A program that may be of particular interest to underrepresented students is the American Chemical Society” ACS Scholarship Grant”. This renewable program provides up to $5,000 per student; available to high school seniors or college freshmen, sophomores and juniors pursuing college degrees in chemical sciences or chemical technology.

Grants for Graduate Chemistry Students

Although chemistry graduates cannot apply for any of the above federal grants, particular colleges and universities that recognize academic achievement are awarded research fellowship grants from the Departments of Education’s “Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Program” (GAANNs Fellowships). These grants are usually used to fund research particularly in areas of national interest, which graduate students in chemistry related fields of research may be able to access.