Federal Grants
A grant is a type of gift aid that does not require repayment. Each grant has different requirements for eligibility. Eligibility for need-based grants is determined using federal formulas and the information the student provided on the FAFSA.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a federally-funded grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Need-based;
- Awarded to students with an EFC: less than 5,273 (AY 2011-12), less than 4,995 (AY 2012-13);
- Awards vary from $555 to $5,550 (AY 2011-12), $602 to $5,550 (AY 2012-13);
- FAFSA required annually;
- Must meet satisfactory academic progress;
- Available to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree or professional degree;
- In some cases, a student may receive a Federal Pell Grant for attending a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program;
- Awarded to both full- and part time undergraduate students.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The Federal Supplement Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federally-funded grant awarded by the Financial Aid Office.
- Need-based;
- Awarded only to Pell Grant-eligible students;
- Award amounts vary;
- FAFSA required annually;
- Must meet satisfactory academic progress;
- Must be enrolled full time;
- Available to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree or professional degree.
Teacher Education Assistance for College & Higher Education Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH Grant) provides up to $4,000 a year in grant assistance to undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students who agree to serve for at least four years as full time teachers in high-need fields in public or not-for-profit private elementary or secondary schools that serve students from low-income families.
The Financial Aid Office recommends that only students who are committed to teaching a high-need subject in a designated low-income school upon graduation consider this possible source of funds. This teaching obligation must be completed in a public or nonprofit elementary or secondary school that is eligible for Title I assistance. If the four-year teaching obligation is not met within eight years of graduation, the grant will convert to an unsubsidized loan, which will have to be repaid with interest calculated back to the date the funds were disbursed.
- Non-need-based, but must file a FAFSA annually;
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
- Undergraduate and Graduate Students;
- Must meet satisfactory academic progress;
- $4,000 each year, prorated for part time students;
- Score above the 75th percentile on a national standardized college admissions test or have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 as a high school graduate and maintain that GPA throughout your academic program;
- Complete TEACH Grant counseling and sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay. Grant recipients agree to teach for at least four years within eight years of finishing their teacher preparation program and to teach high-need subjects in designated schools that serve low-income students.
Enrolled in a teacher education certificate program in one of the following areas:
- Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition;
- Foreign Language;
- Mathematics;
- Reading Specialist;
- Science;
- Special Education.
Iraq and Afghanistan Grant
The Iraq and Afghanistan Grant is a federally-funded grant awarded to student whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.
- Must be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant;
- Be under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death;
- FAFSA required annually;
- Must meet satisfactory academic progress;
- Available to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree or professional degree;
NOTE: The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year – not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year.
