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Free Money! Grants

The best financing you can get to pay for college expenses is money that does not have to be repaid!  Free money for college is available through a variety of grant programs- some of which are awarded through federal grant programs to FAFSA applicants.

Federal Student Aid Grants

There are four types of grants that are part of the federal student aid programs, and they include:

  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant
  • Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

Grants are essentially free money for college.  They only have to be repaid if they were awarded erroneously or if the student withdraws from college early.  Federal grant programs are awarded based on financial need of the students and their families.  For all federal grants except the Federal Pell grant, the amount you receive is dependent upon the calculation of Financial Need and the Family's Expected Contribution (these are calculations that use formulas set by the US Department of Government and do not take into consideration whether or not the family will actually be contributing to a students education).  For the Federal Pell Grant, the amount you receive is based on the expected family contribution, whether or not you are attending full time or part time and the cost of your college education.

Federal Pell Grant

Almost all federal student financial aid starts with a federal Pell grant!  They are generally only given to undergraduate level students who have not yet earned a college level degree.  The maximum amounts awarded in Federal Pell Grants vary from year to year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Undergraduate students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution calculations are awarded FSEOGs.  Students who have received a Federal Pell Grant are given priority when determining whether or not to award a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant as well.  Schools that participate in this grant program have limited funds available from the US Department of Education so when the funds have all been awarded to students, there are no more available.  Early financial aid applicants are often given the best reward packages!

The FSEOGs are awarded in amounts between $100 and $4,000 per year.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) program began in the 2006-2007 school year.  It's awarded to students who are in their undergraduate level of study, attending college full time in an eligible program.  The students must also receive Federal Pell Grants and be US citizens to be eligible.

Requirements for the ACG include that the student completed a rigorous high school program (with advanced placement courses or have received an honors diploma for example), and that the student be enrolled in at least a 2 year academic program.

The total amount of the Academic Competitiveness Grant is up to $750 per year.

National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant

This grant is available to undergraduate level students who are attending college full time and are in their third or fourth academic year.  Student must receive a Federal Pell Grant, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be a US Citizen to be eligible, as well as be working towards a major in either a physical, life or computer science, engineering, technology or math.

The total amount of the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant is $4,000 per year during the students last 2 years of college study.