Student Grants Guide

Unlike student loans, student grants are forms of Financial Aid that do NOT have to be repaid by the student. The federal and state governments, universities, and organizations all give student grants. While grants are awarded based on financial need, most also have criteria for their applicants. Grants can be awarded based on, however not limited to, a student’s area of study, degree, interests, sexuality, religion, or race. Below, we have listed the main types of federal and institutional grants available, their main characteristics, how to apply, where to find the application, and resources for more information.

Pell Grants

• Need based
• For students studying for their first undergraduate degrees
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• “Cannot be incarcerated in a state or federal penitentiary” – classesandcareers.com
• Must attend a federally approved school
• Can receive $400-$4,000 per year based on financial need
• Towards a student’s tuition and fees, but can be given to the student to be spent on books, etc. if tuition & fees are already paid for through other financial aid means
• Money sent directly to the school
• Must fill out a FAFSA form to apply for a Pell Grant
• For FAFSA application: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• For more information: http://www.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

• For students with “exceptional financial need” – studentaid.ed.gov
• Students who receive the Pell Grant with the lowest family contributions are considered first
• Can receive $100-$4,000 per year based on financial need, when the student applies,the funding at the student’s institution, and “the policies of the financial aid office at [the student’s] school” – studentaid.ed.gov
• School can credit the student’s account or pay the student directly
• School must pay student at least once every term or twice per academic year
• Must fill out a FAFSA form to apply for a FSEOG
• For FAFSA application: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• For more information: http://www.ed.gov/programs/fseog/index.html

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

• For first and second year undergraduate students only
• $750 for first year, $1,300 for second year
• Must receive Pell Grant
• Cannot exceed the cost of the college along with the Pell Grant
• Eligibility Requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Federal Pell Grant recipient
  • Enrolled in full-time degree program
  • Enrolled in first or second academic year of student’s program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution
  • Completed rigorous secondary school program of study
  • First-year student: has not been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program
  • Second-year student: has at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year
  • Rigorous Secondary School Programs of Study recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• For FAFSA application: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• For more information: www.studentaid.ed.gov

National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)

• Must receive Pell Grant
• Up to $4,000 for each third and fourth year
• Cannot exceed the cost of the college along with the Pell Grant
• Eligibility requirements
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Undergraduate student in third or fourth year
  • Full-time student
  • Eligible for Pell Grant
  • Majoring in:
    • Physical science
    • Life sciences
    • Computer sciences
    • Mathematics
    • Technology
    • Engineering
    • Foreign language critical to national security
  • Must maintain cumulative grade point average(GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• For FAFSA application: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• For more information: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/SmartGrants.jsp

TEACH Grant

• Must complete the FAFSA
• Not financially need based
• Provides up to $4,000 per year to students who “intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families” –studentaid.ed.gov
• Eligibility requirements
  • U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • Enrolled as an undergraduate, graduate, or post-baccalaureate student in an institution that participates in the TEACH Grant Program
  • Enrolled in or plan to enroll in course work necessary to begin a career in teaching
  • Score above the 75^th percentile on acollege admissions test OR maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Sign the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve
• For FAFSA application: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• For more information: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/TEACH.jsp

For more information on any federal student grants: http://www.snagajob.com/online-degrees/paying-for-college.aspx

Institutional Student Grants

Institutional grants, or merit awards or scholarships, are awarded to students by colleges and universities, not the government. As with Private student loans , there are many institutional grants available for students. Many have sets of criteria or eligibility requirements, but are mostly focused on a student’s academic achievements or financial need; however, other merit awards are not need based. Check with your college or university to see if they offer any institutional grants, or ask other colleges or universities if they offer institutional grants for your area of study.

Remember to check if:

• You must submit the FAFSA
• You must hold a certain cumulative GPA
• You must take certain courses or study certain majors
• The grant is for certain years of undergraduate or graduate level school
• The grant is need based or non-need based
• You must sign an agreement
• You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen
• The grant is towards your general education or towards a specific part (i.e. tuition only)