Grants
(Undergraduate)

What is a grant?

A grant is money given to students that does not have to be repaid. In order to be considered for grant money awarded by the federal government, you need to complete the FAFSA application each year. If you are interested in finding out more information about the FAFSA, such as how to apply and deadlines, please view the Applications and Deadlines page.

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The foundation of Federal Student Aid, awarded to eligible undergraduate students working toward their first bachelors degree.  Student’s eligibility is based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as it was calculated from information provided on the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students with lower EFCs have greater financial need. Thus, the neediest students are eligible for larger Federal Pell Grants.  Conversely, as students’ EFCs increase, there is less financial need, and the award amount of the Federal Pell Grant decreases.  The amount of the Federal Pell Grant may be prorated based on a students’ enrollment status (full-time, part-time, full academic year attendance or less).  Unlike many other types of aid, students who are enrolled less than half-time may be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant.  The maximum Federal Pell Grant award amount is $4,310 and the minimum award amount is $400.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

This campus based award program is awarded to students with exceptional financial need.  Priority is given to those students with a Federal Pell Grant.  Unlike Federal Pell Grants, the amount of FSEOG that a student can receive depends not only on their financial need but, also, on the amount of other aid they receive and the availability of funds at the institution.  FSEOG award amounts can range from $100 to $4,000.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)

The ACG grant provides up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who had successfully completed a rigorous high-school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.  Recipients must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time and Federal Pell Grant recipients.
Second year students also must have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.  The ACG grant will be available for the first time beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The maximum award amount for the second year is $1,300.

Federal National SMART Grants

The National SMART Grant provides up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and are majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology or engineering, or in a foreign language deemed critical to national security.  In addition, the student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 in coursework related to the major.

Federal Work-Study Program

This program offers jobs to matriculated students demonstrating financial need and desire to work. Positions are available in almost every department and administrative office. Every effort is made to correlate the job with the student's interest and schedule.

New York State Grants

NYS Aid for Part-time Study (APTS)

APTS is a grant program funded by New York State and is available to matriculated, part-time, undergraduate students who meet certain eligibility requirements.  Generally, to be eligible to receive APTS a student must:

• Be working toward an undergraduate degree as a part-time student taking a minimum of three (3), but less than twelve (12) semester credit hours;
• Be a resident of New York State;
• Be either a US citizen, permanent resident alien, or refugee;
• Meet the income limits (taxable income less than $50,550 for a dependent student or and independent student with dependents.  Taxable income less than $34,250 for an independent student without dependents);
• Not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program eligibility;
• Have a tuition charge of at least $100 per year (after employee reimbursements and related grants);
• Not be in default of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal Family Education Loan;
• Must have a GPA of at least 2.0; and
• Submit all documentation by the published deadline.

Applications for APTS are available in the financial aid office and online during the month of August and are generally due six weeks into the semester for which you are applying.  APTS is not available for the summer semester.

NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The TAP grant is processed by the Office of Student Accounts. To find out more information please visit their website or reach them by telephone at (585) 395-2473.

7/20/07