Federal Student Aid Programs include grants, loans and work-study. Eligibility for most of these programs is based upon "demonstrated financial need" of the student and his/her family. See “How Aid Is Calculated” for information on how need is determined.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan, the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan, and Grad PLUS Loan are not based on financial need; therefore, most federal student aid applicants will be eligible for some form of financial assistance through the federal student aid programs regardless of demonstrated financial need.
File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to determine your eligibility. Go to the FAFSA website to begin your application.
Students must complete the FAFSA and submit any required documents for any of the Federal Aid Programs listed below.
- What is Student Financial Aid?
- General Student Eligibility Requirements
- Types of Federal Aid
- Types of Non-Federal Aid
Types of Federal Aid
Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are federally-funded, need-based, grants given to college students to help pay for college.
Pell Grants can be awarded up to $5,920 for the 2017-18 award year.
If eligible, you may receive a Pell Grant for a maximum of the equivalent of 12 full time semesters, or 18 full time quarters. Pell Grants do not have to be paid back. Fill out the FAFSA to be considered for a Pell Grant.
Any Pell Grant-eligible student whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 will receive the maximum award amount.
The student must be under 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time in college at the time of their parent's or guardian's death.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is a grant for Pell Grant-eligible students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC). In order to be considered for an FSEOG, you must first fill out the FAFSA.
After you submit your completed FAFSA, the federal processor will calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to determine your potential eligibility.
Every school that participates in the FSEOG program receives a specific amount of funding, and not all schools have the same amount of FSEOG funds as a resource to assist students. Funds are limited, so apply early.
Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH GRANT)
The Federal TEACH Grant Program provides financial assistance, through the federal student aid programs, to students while attending college, majoring in an academic program that will allow them to teach in high need subject areas, as highly qualified teachers, at low income serving elementary or secondary schools in the United States.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work-Study is a campus based program that provides funding for jobs for students who demonstrate financial need. Schools are given a limited amount of funding to award to eligible students. Students who are awarded funds through this program can then apply for and be hired into work-study jobs, which are primarily on campus or with selected employers in the community. Students earn their award at an hourly rate. To be considered for a Federal Work-Study job, you must complete a FAFSA. Since there are limited funds for this program, please check with your school for any deadlines regarding your eligibility.
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs
Federal Direct Student Loan Programs are low interest loans that undergraduates, graduates and parents of dependent undergraduates may borrow. They include the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan and the Federal Direct PLUS Loan. These loan programs are designed to help all eligible students and parents, with and without financial need, pay for the student's educational expenses.
- Federal Direct Loan
Only eligible students may borrow through the Federal Direct Loan Program. The Federal Direct Loan can be subsidized or unsubsidized depending primarily on the student's demonstrated need. Learn more about the Federal Direct Loan
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan
Only eligible parents of eligible dependent undergraduates may borrow through the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program. The amount parents may borrow is the student's Cost of Attendance minus the Estimated Financial Aid to be received during the loan period. Learn more about the Federal Direct PLUS Loan. Parent borrower must not have an adverse credit history.
- Direct Grad PLUS Loan
Only graduate or professional student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school in a program leading to a graduate or professional degree may borrow through the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program. Learn more about the Federal Direct PLUS Loan. The maximum loan amount is the cost of attendance (determined by the school) minus any other financial aid received. Student borrower must not have an adverse credit history.
Types of Non-Federal Aid
Private Loans
Students who do not qualify for federal financial aid, or who need additional funds beyond what federal financial aid can provide, have an option of applying for a private educational loan. Alternative loans are generally more expensive, therefore should only be considered if absolutely necessary. In most cases, the student applicant's credit and/or co-signer's credit must be approved by the lender. The eligible loan amount can be no greater than the Cost of Attendance minus all other Estimated Financial Aid.