government grants

grant information

Pell Grant:

The most common federal grant. It is awarded to undergraduate students only (and in some cases, post-baccalaureate students in teacher certification programs).

The amounts awarded range from $400-to-$7,395 per academic year. The Pell Grant is reserved for the neediest students.

To see if you are eligible for the Pell Grant, you must first submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

It will use a formula to estimate the qualified amount based on the EFC and cost of attendance (see aid step1 for EFC information). Any eligible amount will be noted in your financial award letter from your school.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG):

This grant is available for qualified undergraduate applicants who show exceptional financial need. The amounts awarded range from $100-to-$4,000.

The amount you will receive will depends on the amount of other aid you get and the availability of FSEOG funds at participating schools. Federal Pell Grant recipients take priority.

Schools participating in the FSEOG program receives a certain amount of FSEOG funds each acadamic year. Once the limited funds have been awarded, no more FSEOG funds are available.

You must first compete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to see if you qualify. It will use a formula to estimate the qualified amount based on the EFC and cost of attendance (see note 1 for EFC information). Any eligible amount will be noted in your financial award letter from your school.

Teacher Education Assistance (TEACH) Grant

For undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, and graduate students who are taking or will be taking coursework necessary to become an elementary or secondary school teacher.

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program, provides up to $4,000 a year. Grant limits not to exceed a total of $16,000 for undergraduate study; $8,000 for graduate study.

In exchange for the grant, a student must sign an agreement to serve as a full-time teacher at certain low-income schools or within certain high-need fields for at least four academic years.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

If you are not eligible for a Pell Grant but your 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 Sept. 11, 2001, you are under 24 years old or enrolled in college at the time of your parent's or guardian's death, you will be eligible to receive an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year, except that the amount will not exceed that cost of attendance for that award year.

You must be at least a part-time student at the time of your parent's or guardian's death.


download the US Department of Education Student Aid Booklet for more detailed information about federal grants