Pell Grants are the most common form of governmental student aid. Other government grants are usually awarded after you are determined eligible for a Pell grant. The Pell grant is only available for undergraduate students (except postgraduate students enrolled in a teacher certification program). Maximum Pell Grant awards vary each year, and receiving other financial aid does not affect the amount of your Pell Grant. Partial Pell Grant amounts are awarded as well, so fill out a FAFSA even if you are not sure your financial situation will qualify you to receive the full amount.Children whose parents or guardians died as a result of serving in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan are automatically eligible for the full amount of a Pell Grant.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for Pell Grant recipients who have the lowest EFC based on their FAFSA. The FSEOG is an additional government grant awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and the amount is determined by your need, student status and type of school you are attending. Receiving other types of financial aid can affect the amount of your FSEOG. You cannot receive FSEOG funds if your school does not participate in the program.
The Academic Competitiveness Grant is a relatively new government grant that is only awarded to Pell Grant recipients who have finished a rigorous secondary school program and are in their first or second year of college. State education agencies maintain a list of rigorous high school programs, and high school students who took Advanced Placement (AP) classes or an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program should apply. If you fill out your FAFSA online, simply answer the questions regarding the ACG. If you fill out a paper FAFSA, you will be asked any pertinent questions regarding your eligibility at a later time.
The National SMART Grant is an acronym for the National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant. Undergraduate students in their third and fourth year of certain science and technology programs, including mathematics, computer science, engineering or critical foreign languages, can apply. SMART Grants are only for students who are eligible for the Pell Grant and have maintained a qualifying grade point average.
In order to receive a TEACH grant, you must agree to teach for four years in a low-income area or a high-needs field. These government grants are also available for post-graduate students who are enrolled in a teacher certification program. You must fill out a FAFSA in order to be considered, but you do not have to meet the income eligibility requirements. If you do not fulfill the requirement of teaching four years in a critical area within eight years of finishing your degree, your TEACH grant reverts to an unsubsidized federal student loan, and interest will be applied starting the date the funds were first disbursed to you.