Financial Aid 101: Federal Grants

Nearly every student struggles with finding funds to go to college, and adult students are no exeption. Let's look at what may be available to you in the form of Federal Grants:

1)     Pell Grants:

·        Generally, these are only for undergraduate students

·        Sometimes awarded to students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program

·        Amounts awarded change yearly

2)     Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

·        Given to students with the lowest expected family contribution as determined by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid.)

·        Pell Grant recipients have priority for the FSEOG

·        Amount awarded depends on other forms of aid available

·        Schools have a limited amount of .Afunding for this grant—when they reach their pre-determined limit, this type of aid ceases to be available for that academic year.

·        Award is determined by the school’s financial aid office, not by federal criteria. Other aid granted to the student may reduce the amount of FSEOG awarded.

3)     Academic Competitiveness Grant

·        This grant is for full-time undergraduates

·        Must also receive a Pell Grant to be eligible

·        Recipient must be a U.S. citizen

·        Must be in first or second year of undergraduate study

·        Must have completed a rigorous program of study in secondary school (check with financial aid office on criteria.)

·        First year students must have graduated from secondary school after January 01, 2006 to be eligible

·        Second year students must have completed secondary school after January 01, 2005 and have at least a 3.0 G.P.A. to be eligible.

4)     National Science & Mathematic Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)

·        For full-time 3^rd or 4^th year undergrads

·        Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizen majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language. Must have at least a 3.0 G.P.A. after end of second year of studies, and maintain that G.P.A or higher prior to each payment period.

·        For a list of eligible majors for this grant, to go ifap.edu.gov/dpcletters/GEN0706.html