Grants

FEDERAL PELL GRANT

Federal Pell Grant Program is designated for undergraduate students working toward a ﬁrst undergraduate degree. The amount of your grant is determined by the Cost of Attendance, the Expected Family Contribution provided by the U.S. Department of Education, and your enrollment status. If you are enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours), you will receive your full eligibility. If you are enrolled nine to eleven credit hours, you will receive three-fourths of your eligibility. If you are enrolled six to eight credit hours, you will receive one-half of your eligibility. If you are enrolled less than six credit hours, you may be eligible for approximately one-quarter of your eligibility each semester.

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, 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 Pell Grant award for the 2010-11 award year (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011) and the 2011-12 award year is $5,550. 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. Note: The maximum award amount is given for any Pell Grant eligible student whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept.11, 2001. You must be under 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time in college at the time of your parent's or guardian's death.

You may receive up to two consecutive Pell Grant awards during a single award year to accelerate your program toward your degree. You must be enrolled at least half-time and in a program that leads to an associate or bachelor’s degree or certificate.

If you received a Pell Grant for the first time on or after July 1, 2008, you can only receive the Pell Grant for up to 18 semesters or the equivalent.

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.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (SEOG)

SEOG is designated for undergraduate students enrolled at least halftime. Eligibility is based on Established Financial Need, and funding is limited to students with Federal Pell Grant eligibility.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for a FSEOG. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid.

How much can I get?

You can receive between $100 and $400 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.

LEVERAGING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (LEAP)

LEAP Program is a Federal/State grant program available to Georgia residents working on their ﬁrst undergraduate degree program. Eligibility requirements are: demonstrate substantial need, be eligible to receive a Pell Grant, maintain satisfactory academic progress, be at least half-time student (6 semester hours), have not borrowed in excess of the annual or aggregate limits for Federal student loan programs, no defaulted student loan or overpayment due on State or Federal ﬁnancial aid, and not have received LEAP assistance for more than 8 semesters.

GEORGIA LEPD GRANT

Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant (LEPD) is designated for eligible Georgia residents who are dependent children of Georgia law enforcement ofﬁcers, prison guards, or ﬁremen who were permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty. The amount of the grant is $2,000 per academic year. Eligible students should contact GSFC at 1-800-505-GSFC.

GEORGIA PUBLIC SAFETY MEMORIAL GRANT

Designated for the son or daughter of any Georgia public safety ofﬁcer who is killed or disabled in the line of duty. This program, which is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education, covers the Cost of Attendance at a Georgia public post-secondary institution, minus other aid received, including the Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant. Eligible students should contact GSFC at 1-800-505-GSFC.

IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN SERVICE GRANT

Beginning with the 2010-11 award year, a student who is not eligible for a Pell Grant but whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

Additional Student Eligibility Requirements