Financing a college education seems to be getting harder all the time. Tuition, even at state and local colleges, is on the rise and lending institutions are tightening their loan requirements. Putting together a strategy for financing your degree can be a challenge, but before you throw in the towel, ask your uncle for some help – Uncle Sam, that is.

Did you know the federal government is the single largest source of education grants? Pell, Academic Competitiveness and SMART grants provide a growing number of undergraduate college students with tuition relief. Unlike loans, these grants are outright gifts to qualified students. How do you find out if you are eligible to receive one of these grants? Well, it all starts will filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once you’ve filed your FAFSA, your record is reviewed and grants are awarded to cash-strapped students.

The Pell grant is the best known in this arena. Thanks to the economic stimulus bill that was passed earlier this year, Pell awards have been boosted from a maximum of $4731 per year to $5350 for the 2009-2010 academic year, with increases built in for subsequent years. Generally awarded to students from families earning $50K per year or less, the Pell grants have made a college degree an affordable reality for hundreds of thousands of students.

For students who qualify for Pell grants and have graduated from a rigorous high school academic program, there are additional federal monies available during their first two years of college in the form of Academic Competitiveness grants. These grants are awarded to students who maintain a B average during their freshman and sophomore years. In most colleges, if you qualify for a Pell grant you will automatically be submitted for an Academic Competitiveness grant. The amount of the grant is $750 for freshmen and $1300 for sophomores.

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent grant (National SMART grant) is a program that awards high-achieving, low-income 3rd and 4th year college students with up to $4000 per year. If you qualify for a Pell grant, are a full time student with a major in mathematics, science, engineering, technology or a critical foreign language, and maintain a 3.0 average, you are on target for a SMART grant.

Getting your FAFSA form filled out and submitted in time is the first step if finding out if you qualify for any of these grant programs. The U.S. Department of Education has a website with frequently asked questions and advice. Your college counselor can provide you with important information and the financial aid office of your college can be of assistance. In addition, there are several on-line sources that can give your valuable pointers. Check out Top-Colleges for more information. And remember, when looking for ways to finance your college education, start with Uncle Sam.