WHAT IS THE FSEOG GRANT?

An FSEOG Grant is financial assistance specifically designed for low-income students. There are almost 4,000 post-secondary educational institutions that offer these grants. Read more to learn about how to apply for this unique financial aid opportunity.

Who is Eligible for the FSEOG?

Any student who has an exceptional financial need and qualifies for Federal Pell grants will most likely receive a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The status of exceptional need is determined by students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) who also qualify for Federal Pell grants.

Who Provides the FSEOG Funds?

Federal Pell grants, and other financial programs are determined and allocated through federal programs. However, the FSEOG is only available through participating higher education institutions that submit FSEOG funding requests directly to the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, the school will receive a limited funding amount and can only award a select number of students.

How Much Financial Aid is Available?

The FSEOG will provide the student $100 to $4,000 a year. However, this depends on the student's specific situation, such as when the student applied, how much funding the school has and how much alternative financial aid the student will also receive. However, all students who wish to apply for the FSEOG must go through FAFSA.

What is FAFSA?

FSEOG Grants can be applied for through FAFSA, which is the federal government's Free Application for Federal Student Aid program. In fact, FAFSA is the largest source of federal financial aid, which comes in the form of grants, loans and work-study programs. Many states and universities also use FAFSA to determine student eligibility for local aid.

Who Qualifies for FAFSA?

Almost all students are eligible for FAFSA. For example, a student doesn't have to be a U.S. citizen, but can also be a U.S. national or eligible non-citizen. However, the student should have a Social Security Number and GED or high school diploma. Students must not currently owe any money on a federal student grant or in default on a student loan.

What are the FAFSA Deadlines?

Students must complete the FAFSA between July 1st and June 30th of the following year to be eligible for financial aid. In addition to this, updates or corrections must be completed before September 17th. Keep in mind that most states and universities have earlier deadlines for their financial aid programs.

Are Members of the Military Eligible for FAFSA?

Service members can apply for both the GI Bill financial aid and FAFSA. In fact, members of the military are eligible to apply for the four basic federal grant programs, such as Pell and Teach, and can apply for state student financial aid programs.

What Information does the FAFSA Application Require?

The FAFSA application requires personal and financial information. For starters, you will be required to enter basic personal information, such as Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number. If you currently work, you will be required to enter information concerning your previous W-2 forms. If you are married, you will also be required to enter your spouse's tax information. For non-working students, you will be required to enter your parents' tax information.

To sum up, FSEOG funds are available to low-income students at schools that participate in the program. In order to apply, students must first have exceptional financial need and qualify for federal Pell Grants through completing the FAFSA. An FSEOG Grant is an excellent financial tool to help needy students.

See also: The Ultimate Guide to Affording College