To be eligible for these government grants, your family must submit a FAFSA.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program and is based on financial need. There is no minimum grade point average or other academic requirements, as along as the student attends an eligible school. Awards are up to $4,310.
The U.S. Department of Education determines eligibility based on your family's answers on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.
If your child receives a Pell Grant, his or her school credit your college account with the grant amount, pay you directly, or both. The federal government guarantees that each participating school will receive enough funding to pay the Federal Pell Grants of all eligible students.
Eligible students
- Student must be pursuing their first undergraduate degree.
- Student must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens (PDF, 80KB).
- Student must have a high school diploma, GED, or demonstrate the ability to benefit from the program offered.
Ineligible students
- Incarcerated students.
- Students who owe a refund on a Title IV grant.
- Students in default on a Title IV loan.
- Males who have not registered with the Selective Service.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Schools distribute the need-based FSEOG to full-time and part-time students. Awards range from $100 to $4,000. The college financial aid office will determine whether your child is eligible from your EFC as reported on your ISIR (the school’s version of your Student Aid Report).
If you qualify to receive a FSEOG, the school will credit your account, pay you directly, or both.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need (the lowest Expected Family Contribution) are eligible.
- Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority but are not guaranteed a FSEOG.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
An ACG provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
The ACG award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award. Student must submit a FAFSA to apply for this grant.
Eligibility
If your child can answer yes to all of the following questions, he or she could be eligible to receive an ACG:
- Are you a U.S. citizen?
- Did you graduate from high school after January 1, 2005?
- Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?
- Will you be enrolled as a full-time first or second year student in a two- or four-year degree program?
National SMART Grant
A National SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) Grant provides up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences; mathematics, technology, or engineering; or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.
The student must also have maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award. Students must submit a FAFSA to apply for this grant.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a National SMART Grant, the student must be able to answer yes to all of the following questions:
- Are you a U.S. citizen?
- Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?
- Are you enrolled as a full-time third or fourth year student in a baccalaureate degree program?
- Do you have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average?
- Are you enrolled in an eligible major (PDF, 25KB) in one of the following fields: computer science, engineering, critical foreign languages, life sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, technology, or multi-disciplinary studies?