Using information students and their parents provide in the FAFSA, federal and state aid agencies determine which families meet a certain threshold of need, and who are eligible for grants.
Federal Pell Grant:
The "basic" need-based federal grant is the Pell Grant. In 2009-10 Pell grants will range from $976 to $5,350 based on the extent of financial need as determined by federal methodology.
Federal SEOG Grant:
If the student is determined to have the maximum financial need (an Expected Family Contribution of 0), Clarion University may award the student a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or SEOG, of $500 for the academic year.
Federal TEACH grant:
A new federal grant provides up to $4000 per year to students who intend to teach in a high need field (Bilingual Education, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Reading Specialist, Science, and Special Education) in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Interested students should have a FAFSA on file (although financial need is not a requirement), and maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.25. TEACH grants are available to undergraduate and graduate students. Recipients of TEACH grants must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which the TEACH grant was received. IMPORTANT: TEACH recipients who fail to complete the service obligation will have their TEACH Grants converted to interest-bearing (6.8%) Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Interest will be charged from the day the Grant was disbursed. Students who are interested in the TEACH Grant should print this form and return it to the Office of Financial Aid, 104 Egbert Hall.
Federal ACG Grant:
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants were available for the first time for the 2006-2007 year to incoming freshmen who graduated high school in 2006, and to sophomores who graduated in 2005, with a "rigorous curriculum." The determination of a "rigorous curriculum" is made by the state or local education agency, and the high school must be recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Freshmen are eligible for $750, and sophomores are eligible for $1300. Sophomores must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00.
Students must have a current FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file, must be eligible for the federal PELL grant (have an Expected Family Contribution of 3850 or lower), must be US citizens, and must be enrolled full time in a two- or four-year degree program.
Federal SMART Grant:
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants became available for the first time during the 2006-2007 year to juniors and seniors majoring in physical, life or computer sciences, mathematics, technology engineering or in a foreign language determined to be critical to national security. Recipients must be PELL eligible, US citizens enrolled full time in a four-year degree program with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00. The maximum award is $4000 per year.
PHEAA State Grant:
The Pennsylvania state grant ranges from $200 to $3507, depending on the amount of need as determined by PHEAA's methodology. PHEAA notifies students (who have filed a FAFSA) directly of their eligibility for the grant. (Students who are taking half or more of their credits on-line during any semester are NOT eligible for the Pennsylvania state grant).
Limits on Financial Aid
