Grant vs. Scholarship — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on September 28, 2023
A grant is financial aid often based on need, while a scholarship is typically awarded based on merit, achievements, or specific criteria.
Difference Between Grant and Scholarship
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A grant is a sum of money provided to individuals or organizations for a specific purpose, such as research, business development, or financial assistance. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid. They might be allocated based on financial need or to encourage specific activities or outcomes. In contrast, a scholarship is a financial award given to students to help fund their education. These are often based on academic achievements, talents, or other criteria set by the awarding body.
When considering higher education financing, grants, often stemming from governmental sources, assist students based on their financial situation. Scholarships, however, frequently reward students for their academic or extracurricular accomplishments and can be provided by schools, private organizations, or individuals.
Although both grants and scholarships provide financial assistance without the need for repayment, the eligibility criteria can vary significantly. For a grant, eligibility might hinge on the nature of a project or an individual's financial circumstances. Scholarships typically rely on student performance or the fulfillment of certain conditions.
Notably, while the term "grant" is broad and can be applied in various sectors outside of education, "scholarship" is almost exclusively tied to the educational domain. For instance, a researcher might receive a grant for scientific exploration, whereas a high school student might receive a scholarship for college based on outstanding academic achievements.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Financial aid for specific purposes.
Financial award for students based on merit or criteria.
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Based On
Need, purpose, or project.
Academic achievements, talent, or specific criteria.
Repayment
Not required.
Not required.
Application Fields
Education, research, business, etc.
Almost exclusively education.
Typical Providers
Governments, institutions, private entities.
Schools, private organizations, individuals.
Compare with Definitions
Grant
Legal conveyance or transfer.
The king made a grant of land to his loyal knight.
Scholarship
A financial award for students.
Based on his outstanding grades, he received a scholarship to his top-choice university.
Grant
To allow or consent to the fulfillment of (something requested)
Grant permission to speak frankly.
Grant a request.
Scholarship
Funds to support academic pursuits.
Through the scholarship, her entire master's program was covered.
Grant
To give or confer officially or formally
Grant voting rights to citizens.
Grant diplomatic immunity.
Scholarship
Aid provided based on merit or set criteria.
Her prowess in the violin earned her a full scholarship.
Grant
To transfer (property) by a deed.
Scholarship
Recognition of academic or talent-based achievements.
The national science competition winners all received scholarships.
Grant
To concede; acknowledge
I grant that your plan is ingenious, but you still will not find many backers.
Scholarship
Monies to offset educational expenses.
The scholarship reduced the financial burden of college.
Grant
The act of granting.
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further their education at a private elementary or secondary school, or a private or public post-secondary college, university, or other academic institution. Scholarships are awarded based upon various criteria, such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, financial need, among others.
Grant
Something granted, especially a giving of funds for a specific purpose
Federal grants for medical research.
Scholarship
The methods, discipline, and attainments of a scholar or scholars.
Grant
The document or provision in a document by which a grant is made.
Scholarship
Knowledge resulting from study and research in a particular field.
Grant
One of several tracts of land in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont originally granted to an individual or a group.
Scholarship
A grant of financial aid awarded to a student, as for the purpose of attending a college.
Grant
(ditransitive) to give (permission or wish)
He was granted permission to attend the meeting.
The genie granted him three wishes
Scholarship
A grant-in-aid to a student.
Grant
(ditransitive) To bestow or confer, with or without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request; to give.en
Scholarship
The character or qualities of a scholar.
Grant
(transitive) To agree with (someone) on (something); to accept (something) for the sake of argument; to admit to (someone) that (something) is true.
Scholarship
The activity, methods or attainments of a scholar.
Grant
(intransitive) To assent; to consent.
Scholarship
(uncountable) The sum of knowledge accrued by scholars; the realm of refined learning.
Grant
The act of granting; a bestowing or conferring; concession; allowance; permission.
Scholarship
The first year of high school, often accompanied by exams that needed to be passed before advancement to the higher grades.
Grant
The yielding or admission of something in dispute.
Scholarship
(intransitive) To attend an institution on a scholarship.
Grant
The thing or property granted; a gift; a boon.
I got a grant from the government to study archeology in Egypt.
Scholarship
(transitive) To grant a scholarship to.
Grant
(law) A transfer of property by deed or writing; especially, an appropriation or conveyance made by the government.
A grant of land or of money
Scholarship
The character and qualities of a scholar; attainments in science or literature; erudition; learning.
A man of my master's . . . great scholarship.
Grant
The deed or writing by which such a transfer is made.
Scholarship
Literary education.
Any other house of scholarship.
Grant
(informal) An application for a grant monetary boon to aid research or the like.
Scholarship
Maintenance for a scholar; a foundation for the support of a student.
Grant
To give over; to make conveyance of; to give the possession or title of; to convey; - usually in answer to petition.
Grant me the place of this threshing floor.
Scholarship
Financial aid provided to a student on the basis of academic merit
Grant
To bestow or confer, with or without compensation, particularly in answer to prayer or request; to give.
Wherefore did God grant me my request.
Scholarship
Profound scholarly knowledge
Grant
To admit as true what is not yet satisfactorily proved; to yield belief to; to allow; to yield; to concede.
Grant that the Fates have firmed by their decree.
Grant
To assent; to consent.
Grant
The act of granting; a bestowing or conferring; concession; allowance; permission.
Grant
The yielding or admission of something in dispute.
Grant
The thing or property granted; a gift; a boon.
Grant
A transfer of property by deed or writing; especially, an appropriation or conveyance made by the government; as, a grant of land or of money; also, the deed or writing by which the transfer is made.
Grant
Any monetary aid
Grant
The act of providing a subsidy
Grant
(law) a transfer of property by deed of conveyance
Grant
Scottish painter; cousin of Lytton Strachey and member of the Bloomsbury Group (1885-1978)
Grant
United States actor (born in England) who was the elegant leading man in many films (1904-1986)
Grant
18th President of the United States; commander of the Union armies in the American Civil War (1822-1885)
Grant
A contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business;
He got the beer concession at the ball park
Grant
A right or privilege that has been granted
Grant
Let have;
Grant permission
Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison
Grant
Give on the basis of merit;
Funds are granted to qualified researchers
Grant
Be willing to concede;
I grant you this much
Grant
Allow to have;
Grant a privilege
Grant
Bestow, especially officially;
Grant a degree
Give a divorce
This bill grants us new rights
Grant
Give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
Grant
Transfer by deed;
Grant land
Grant
A sum of money given for a specific purpose.
The scientist received a grant to fund her groundbreaking research.
Grant
Financial assistance that doesn't need to be repaid.
After the hurricane, families received grants to rebuild their homes.
Grant
An allocation of funds based on need or objective.
Small businesses can apply for grants to expand their operations.
Grant
Approval or permission given.
The city council will grant the permit after reviewing the application.
Common Curiosities
How does a Scholarship differ from a Grant?
A scholarship is typically a merit-based financial award for students, while a grant can be based on need or purpose.
Is every Grant related to education?
No, grants can be awarded for various purposes, including research, business, and community projects.
What is a Grant?
A grant is financial aid often provided for a specific purpose and doesn't need to be repaid.
Can Grants be provided by private entities?
Yes, grants can come from governments, institutions, and private entities or individuals.
How are Scholarship amounts determined?
It varies, but amounts can be based on tuition costs, student needs, or funds available from the awarding body.
Who can apply for a Grant?
Individuals, organizations, or institutions, depending on the grant's criteria and purpose.
What might disqualify someone from keeping a Scholarship?
Not meeting ongoing criteria, like a minimum GPA, or violating terms of the scholarship agreement.
Can Grants support artistic projects?
Yes, many grants are available specifically for artists, writers, and other creatives.
Do all Scholarships focus on academic achievement?
No, scholarships can also be awarded for talents, community service, and other specific criteria.
Can a person receive both a Grant and a Scholarship?
Yes, depending on eligibility and the criteria set by the providers.
Do you have to repay a Scholarship?
Typically, no. However, some scholarships might have conditions, like maintaining a certain GPA.
Is financial need always a criterion for Grants?
Not always. Some grants are awarded based on project objectives or other criteria.
Are Scholarships only for university students?
No, scholarships can be awarded to students at various educational levels, including high school and postgraduate studies.
How often are Scholarships awarded?
Some are one-time awards, while others might be renewable annually based on continued eligibility.
Is there a limit to how many Grants or Scholarships one can receive?
No fixed limit, but each grant or scholarship will have its own eligibility and application criteria.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
