Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

This program is one of several campus-based programs administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school. Not all schools participate in these programs - check with a school's financial aid office to find out which program, if any, they participate in.

How much aid you receive from each of this program will depend on your financial need, on the amount of other aid you receive, and on the availability of funds at your college or career school. Campus-based programs provide a certain amount of funds for each participating school to administer each year. When the money for a program is used up, no more awards can be made from that program for that year. Each school sets its own deadlines for campus-based funds, and those deadlines are usually earlier than the Department of Education's deadline for filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

These grants are for undergraduates with exceptional financial need, and don't have to be paid back.

How much can I get?
You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, your financial need, the funding at the school you're attending, and the policies of the financial aid office at your school.

If I am eligible, how will I get the FSEOG money?
If you're eligible, your school will credit your account, pay you directly (usually by check), or combine these methods. Your school must pay you at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter). Schools that do not use semesters, trimesters, or quarters must disburse funds at least twice per academic year.

Pell Grants
A Federal Pell Grant, like a FSEOG, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. (In some cases, however, a student enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program might receive a Pell Grant.) Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.

How much can I get?
The maximum award for the 2003-04 award year (July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2004) is $4,050. The maximum can change each award year and depends on program funding. The amount you get, though, will depend not only on your financial need, but also on your costs to attend school, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

If I am eligible, how will I get the Pell Grant money?
Your school can apply Pell Grant funds to your school costs, pay you directly (usually by check), or combine these methods. The school must tell you in writing how much your award will be and how and when you'll be paid. Schools must disburse funds at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter). Schools that do not use semesters, trimesters, or quarters must disburse funds at least twice per academic year.