Grants
What They Are:
These financial aid dollars do not have to be repaid. There are federal, state, and institutional grants. Most grants are awarded based on financial need, but sometimes they are awarded to students who wish to pursue specific research in a given field.
How To Get Them:
Filing the FAFSA is the most effective way to apply for federal and state grants. Colleges also use the information received from the FAFSA to award institutional grants to students with financial need.
Very Important:
The closer to January 1 that you file your FAFSA, the better your chances will be to get the most grant money that you’re eligible for. You must file your FAFSA by Missouri’s April 1 deadline to be eligible for state grant dollars like the Access Missouri grant.
Never pay to file your FAFSA. The first word in the acronym is “FREE”!
Federal Grant Programs:
Federal Pell Grant: generally awarded to students who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant, you will receive the full amount for which you qualify.(Annual Award Limit): $5,550
Academic Competitiveness Grant: first year applicants must be eligible for a Pell Grant, must have graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2006, must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study, and must be enrolled in an eligible program at least half-time. Second year applicants must be eligible for a Pell Grant must have graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2005, must have completed a rigorous secondary schoolprogram of study, must be enrolled in an eligible program at least half-time and must have at least a 3.0 GPA at the end of the first year of postsecondary study. First Year Award Amount: Up to $750 and Second Year Award Amount: Up to $1,300
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant(FSEOG): is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority, not all colleges participate in the FSEOG program, funds depend on availability at the college; you should apply by your college’s deadline, so that you are considered. (Annual Award Limit):$200 to $4,000
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant): must be eligible for a Pell Grant, must be enrolled at least half-time in third or fourth year (or fifth year of a 5-year program, must be enrolled in an eligible degree program majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, engineering, technology, mathematics, or a critical-need foreign language and must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. (Annual Award Limit): Up to $4,000
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant: for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate students who are/will be taking course work necessary to become elementary or secondary teachers, must agree to serve for a minimum of four years (within eight years of completing academic program) as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a school that serves low-income students, must attend a participating college and meet certain academic achievement requirements, failure to complete the teaching service commitment will result in the grant funds being converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that must be repaid.(Annual Award Limit): Up to $4,000
Federal Work Study
What Is It:
The FWS Program provides funds that are earned through part-time employment to assist students in financing the costs of postsecondary education. Students can receive FWS funds at approximately 3,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Institutional financial aid administrators at participating institutions have substantial flexibility in determining the amount of FWS awards to provide to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment. Hourly wages must not be less than the federal minimum wage.
What They Are:
These financial aid dollars do not have to be repaid. There are federal, state, and institutional grants. Most grants are awarded based on financial need, but sometimes they are awarded to students who wish to pursue specific research in a given field.
How To Get Them:
Filing the FAFSA is the most effective way to apply for federal and state grants. Colleges also use the information received from the FAFSA to award institutional grants to students with financial need.
Very Important:
The closer to January 1 that you file your FAFSA, the better your chances will be to get the most grant money that you’re eligible for. You must file your FAFSA by Missouri’s April 1 deadline to be eligible for state grant dollars like the Access Missouri grant.
Never pay to file your FAFSA. The first word in the acronym is “FREE”!
Federal Grant Programs:
Federal Pell Grant: generally awarded to students who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant, you will receive the full amount for which you qualify.(Annual Award Limit): $5,550
Academic Competitiveness Grant: first year applicants must be eligible for a Pell Grant, must have graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2006, must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study, and must be enrolled in an eligible program at least half-time. Second year applicants must be eligible for a Pell Grant must have graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2005, must have completed a rigorous secondary schoolprogram of study, must be enrolled in an eligible program at least half-time and must have at least a 3.0 GPA at the end of the first year of postsecondary study. First Year Award Amount: Up to $750 and Second Year Award Amount: Up to $1,300
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant(FSEOG): is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need Federal Pell Grant recipients receive priority, not all colleges participate in the FSEOG program, funds depend on availability at the college; you should apply by your college’s deadline, so that you are considered. (Annual Award Limit):$200 to $4,000
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant): must be eligible for a Pell Grant, must be enrolled at least half-time in third or fourth year (or fifth year of a 5-year program, must be enrolled in an eligible degree program majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, engineering, technology, mathematics, or a critical-need foreign language and must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. (Annual Award Limit): Up to $4,000
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant: for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate students who are/will be taking course work necessary to become elementary or secondary teachers, must agree to serve for a minimum of four years (within eight years of completing academic program) as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a school that serves low-income students, must attend a participating college and meet certain academic achievement requirements, failure to complete the teaching service commitment will result in the grant funds being converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that must be repaid.(Annual Award Limit): Up to $4,000
Federal Work Study
What Is It:
The FWS Program provides funds that are earned through part-time employment to assist students in financing the costs of postsecondary education. Students can receive FWS funds at approximately 3,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Institutional financial aid administrators at participating institutions have substantial flexibility in determining the amount of FWS awards to provide to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment. Hourly wages must not be less than the federal minimum wage.