Financial Aid Office

Types of Federal Aid 

Federal PELL Grants 

PELL Grants are intended to be the financial base for all students applying for federal financial aid.  Other forms of aid may be added to the PELL grant to meet a student’s total financial need.  Students wishing to apply for any form of aid must apply for the PELL Grant because it is the basis for determining all other aid awarded.  The PELL Grant award is a grant and does not have to be repaid.  Eligibility and the actual amount of the student’s award are determined by the U.S. Department of Education on the basis of the student’s own financial resources coupled with the student’s family’s resources and the total appropriation allotted by the federal government of the program for each academic year. 

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) 

FSEOG are for the student with exceptional financial need who without the grant would be unable to continue his or her education.  The grant is not a loan and need not be repaid.  The student receiving the FSEOG Grant must also be receiving a PELL Grant. 

College Work-Study Program 

The College Work-Study Program provides jobs for a student who has a financial need and wishes to work while in college.  Earnings from these jobs are expected to be applied to the student’s educational expenses.  Job assignments will be at various campus work stations, and the type of work will vary with the needs of the college.  A student is eligible to earn up to an amount specified by the Financial Aid Office.  In arranging a job and determining how many hours a week the student may work under this program, the financial aid officer will take into account: (1) the student’s NEED for financial assistance, and (2) the student’s class schedule.  

[Additional Information]

Student Loans 

The Stafford Student Loan Program enables students to borrow directly from a bank and/or lender.  The maximum amount for any student is set by federal law.  A Master Promissory Note, as well as Entrance and Exit Counseling are required, and eligible amounts are calculated by the Financial Aid Office.

Deadline for processing student loans is April 1^st.  Financial Aid file and all loan paperwork must be received by April 1^st or the loan request may be refused.  Special circumstances will be considered.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

The Academic Competitiveness Grant provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study. The program became available for the first time for the 2006-07 school year for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

To be eligible for an ACG each academic year, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen;

• Be Federal Pell Grant eligible;

• Be enrolled full-time in a degree program;

• Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of his or her program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution;

• Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second year student);

• If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program; and

• If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year.