Federal Aid: Grants & Work-Study

By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you are applying for all federal aid. Check with your financial aid office to make sure that you have completed all applications required by the college or university. 

Pell Grant:

• Is available to students working on their first undergraduate degree; 
• Is portable - can be used at any eligible college or university;
• The Financial Aid administrator determines actual award amount based on Cost of Attendance (COA), enrollment status, and Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
• Maximum award for 2008-2009 is $4731.

FSEOG – Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

• Is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need (ex. students with the lowest EFCs at that school).
• Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
• Grant size depends on availability at the school: $100 minimum, $4,000 maximum

ACG – Academic Competitiveness Grant

• Students must be Pell eligible (ex. Students with the lowest EFCs at that school).
• Students must be enrolled full-time.
• Students must be in their first or second academic year of a two- or four-year degree program.
• First year students must have completed high school on or after January 1, 2006.
• Second-year students must have completed high school on or after January 1, 2005.
• All ACG students must have completed a rigorous program of study as designated by their state.
• For a second-year ACG, students must have a GPA from their first year of at least a 3.0.
• First year students may be eligible up to $750.
• Second year students may be eligible up to $1300.

National SMART Grant – National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant

• Students must be Pell eligible and enrolled full-time.
• Students must be in their third or fourth academic year of a four-year degree program.
• Students must be pursuing a major in mathematics, physical, life or computer sciences, technology,
  or engineering or in a foreign language critical to national security.
• Students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in coursework in their major.
• The award amount is up to $4000.

 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

• $4,000 annual maximum
• $16,000 undergraduate aggregate limit
• $8,000 graduate aggregate limit
• 3.25 GPA or qualifying score on admissions test
• Agree to teach full time for at least 4 years within 8 years of graduation at a school serving a high percentage of low income students (Title I schools)
• Agree to teach a specific subject
• Repayment required if teaching requirement not fulfilled

Federal Work-Study

• Is designed to help students earn money for college expenses through a part-time job.
• Students must be Pell eligible and enrolled full-time.
• Students must be in their third or fourth academic year of a four-year degree program. Work-study is awarded based on the results of the FAFSA.
• Students must be paid at least the federal minimum wage, and the amount earned by students is pre-set by the school.
• Work-study positions may be either on campus or off campus, and work hours are structured around class and study schedules.

NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements.  For more information, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov.