Who can apply

You may apply if you are 18 or older and you are looking for financial assistance for yourself. Each person submits their own application. Medical bills, buying a home, starting a business, going to school, teachers, retired teachers, seniors, and others seeking financial assistance.

Groups IDA reviews every day

• Medical bills

  Anyone facing unpaid medical bills, ongoing treatment, or recovery costs.

• Buying a home

  First-time buyers, families closing a gap, and people protecting the home they already have.

• Starting a business

  Salespeople, independent workers, and people standing up a small business of their own.

• Going to school

  Adults returning to school, completing a credential, or covering tuition and materials.

• Teachers

  Working teachers under financial pressure at home or in the classroom.

• Retired teachers

  Retired teachers facing living costs, medical bills, or housing after a career in the classroom.

• Seniors

  Seniors, older adults, and retired people looking for practical financial help.

• Financial assistance

  Anyone 18 or older looking for financial assistance and willing to explain the situation plainly.

What does not make a file a loan

IDA grant programs are not loans. Selection does not create monthly payments to IDA. Applying does not create debt. Not every complete application is selected — billions in grants still means each file is reviewed on its own.