The Federal Pell Grant is based on the individual's need. While there is no maximum family income level that a family cannot exceed, students' needs are examined and those with the highest need level may be awarded a Pell Grant.
The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is another federal grant for students with high need levels. Unlike the Pell Grant, however, the student's estimated family contribution must be zero to qualify.
Those who have served time in the military may qualify for benefits to pay for their college education through the Montgomery G.I. Bill.
Only those eligible for the Pell Grant are eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant. They must have completed a "rigorous" secondary school education, as determined by the government, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale.
This grant is available for those who can receive the Pell Grant, are in their third or fourth year of college, and are majoring in one of the following areas: physical science, computer science, life science, technology, engineering, mathematics or certain foreign languages.