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Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program designed to assist students from low income families. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. The amount of the award varies based on the expected family contribution (EFC) as calculated by the FAFSA and the number of hours for which a student is enrolled at the end of the add/drop period each term. For the 2009-10 academic year, the Pell eligible EFC range is between $0 and $4617. Depending upon the EFC and enrollment hours as illustrated by the table below, awards will range from $976 to $5,350.
| Number of hours enrolled per term | Percentage of Pell Grant |
| 12+ hours | 100% of award |
| 9-11 hours | 75% of award |
| 6-8 hours | 50% of award |
| 1-5 hours | 25% of award |
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Like the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federally funded program designed to assist students from low income families. Only students who are eligible to receive the Pell Grant, have an EFC of $0, and are enrolled at least half time (6 hours a semester) will be considered for the FSEOG. Funding for this program is specific to each university and is very limited, thus not all students who meet the above criteria will be awarded the FSEOG. For the 2009-10 academic year FSEOG awards will range from $500 to $1,000 for the full year.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
Students who are eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant may also be eligible to receive the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG). To be eligible for the ACG, a student must be enrolled at least half time (6 hours a semester); have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study; and, if a sophomore, must also have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Freshmen are eligible to receive up to a $750 award and sophomores up to a $1,300 award. A student can only receive one award at each of these grade levels. Juniors and seniors are not eligible for this award.
The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)
Students who are eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant may also be eligible to receive The National Science & Mathematics to Retain Talent Grant (SMART Grant). To be eligible for the SMART Grant, a student must be enrolled at least half time (6 hours a semester); majoring in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language; and have a least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Both juniors and seniors are eligible to receive $4,000 per each grade level. A student can only receive one award at each of these grade levels. Freshmen and sophomores are not eligible for this award.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students may be eligible to receive the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant. To be eligible for the TEACH Grant, students must complete the FAFSA, meet all the eligibility criteria for federal aid, be enrolled in course work in a high need field of study, and meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally scoring above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or having a 3.25 cumulative GPA). Students must also sign an Agreement to Serve wherein they agree to serve as a full time teacher in a high need field that serves low income students for at least four academic years within eight years of completing the program for which they received the TEACH Grant.
Students may receive up to $4,000 per grade level if they are full time, but will receive a lesser amount if they are enrolled less than full time. The cumulative maximum an undergraduate or a student enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher credential program may receive is $16,000 and the cumulative maximum for a graduate student is $8,000.
VERY IMPORTANT: If the student does not complete the service obligation, the grant will retroactively convert to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, including interest accrued over all the years since receiving the award.
If you are interested in the TEACH Grant and believe you meet the above criteria, you must self-identify to the OSFA. Please contact the financial aid counselor for the College of Education.
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