GRANTS

Grants are awarded through federal, state and institutional sources and are based on financial need. Grants are regarded as “gift” aid and do not need to be repaid. The Financial Aid Office will verify your eligibility based on the information you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the first step in applying for any financial aid.

Grant Availability

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is based on financial need and does not need to be repaid. Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources might be added.

Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded 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 Federal Pell Grant.) You are not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant if you are incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution or are subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense.

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances.

Lifetime Eligibility Used

You can only receive Federal Pell Grant funding for the equivalent of 6 full-time academic years, starting from the first time you received Federal Pell Grant funding. If you have already received the equivalent of or exceeded the 6 full-time academic years’ limit, you will no longer be able to receive Pell Grant funds. You may view your current Pell Grant payments at http://nslds.ed.gov.

There are no appeals or exceptions to the 6 full-time academic years Pell Grant rule.

To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, you must meet these requirements each academic year:

  • Complete a FAFSA application.
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
  • Be enrolled in a financial assistance eligible certificate program.
  • Have a Pell-eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as determined by the FAFSA.
  • Have not have previously received a bachelor’s degree.
  • Must not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant or loan program.
  • Must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress at the academy.

The Financial Aid Office will verify your eligibility based on the information submitted on your FAFSA.