Paying for College
Federal Programs
Federal Pell Grant
- Student must:
- Have financial need.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Not already have a bachelor’s or higher degree except in certain limited circumstances when a student is pursuing a post-baccalaureate teacher certification or licensure program.
- Award:
- Up to $6,345 per year.
- Application:
- FAFSA.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Student must:
- Have exceptional financial need.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Not already have a bachelor’s or higher degree.
- Award:
- Up to $4,000 per year.
- Application:
- FAFSA.
- Deadline set by the school.
Federal Work-Study Program
- Student must:
- Have financial need.
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Be enrolled in an eligible school.
- Be pursuing a degree or certificate.
- Award:
- Student must be paid at least the current federal minimum wage.
- Total earnings cannot exceed cost of education minus other financial aid received.
- Application:
- FAFSA.
- Deadline set by the school.
Federal Direct Loan (subsidized)
- Student must:
- Have financial need.
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or eligible non-citizen.
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school.
- Must be an undergraduate.
- Award:
- Depends on year in school and dependency status.
- Application:
- FAFSA.
Federal Direct Loan (unsubsidized)
- Student must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or eligible non-citizen.
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school.
- Award:
- Depends on year in school and dependency status.
- Application:
- FAFSA.
Federal PLUS Loan (graduate and professional students)
- Student must:
- Have exhausted all Federal Direct Loan eligibility.
- Not have an adverse credit history.
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S national or eligible non-citizen.
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible graduate or professional school.
- Award:
- Up to the cost of education minus other financial aid awarded.
- Application:
- FAFSA.
- PLUS Loan application.
Federal PLUS Loan (parents of undergraduate students)
- Student must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S national or eligible non-citizen.
- Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible school.
- Parent must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, U.S national or eligible non-citizen.
- Not have an adverse credit history.
- Award:
- Up to the cost of education minus other financial aid awarded.
- Application:
- FAFSA.
- PLUS Loan application.