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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 2008-09 Pell grants range from $400
to $4,731 based on the extent of financial need as
determined by federal methodology. After the FAFSA has been submitted and
processed, and if Clarion University is listed as a recipient of the
information, the University notifies eligible students in writing if they
are to receive a Pell grant.
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 that
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, graduate, and post-baccalaureate 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
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. Interest will be charged from the day the
Grant was disbursed.
More...
Federal ACG Grant:
Academic Competitiveness Grants are 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 are available for the first time during the
2006-2007 year to juniors and seniors who are 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 $3300, 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).
PHEAA New Economy Technology Scholarships:
SciTech
Scholarships are for students pursuing a bachelor's degree and provide up to
$3000 per year. To be eligible, a student must have and maintain a
cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.00; must be a sophomore who
is enrolled as a full time student pursuing a bachelor's degree in an
approved science or technology field in a Pennsylvania public or private
college or university; and must complete an internship or relevant work
experience in the student's major field with a company with operations in
Pennsylvania prior to receiving a degree.
Learn more and apply online.
Technology Scholarships
provide up to $1000 per year for full time students enrolled in programs of
less than four years in length. To qualify, a student must be enrolled in an
approved science or technology program at a Pennsylvania school, including
community college, two- and four-year colleges or private licensed schools
offering approved programs. Scholarships for part time students are
possible.
Limits on grants:
All
students must make
satisfactory academic progress
toward a degree to continue to be eligible for federal and state
financial aid.
Most
federal and state grants are only available to undergraduate students who
are pursuing their first undergraduate degree. The Pennsylvania State Higher
Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers a maximum of four years (or the
equivalent) of state grant funding for students pursuing a bachelor's
degree, and two years of funding for students pursuing an associate
degree. Students who are taking more than 50% (fifty percent) of their
classes online in any semester are not eligible for the Pennsylvania State
Grant.
Students who are otherwise eligible for federal PELL grants will lose
eligibility after their earn their first BA/BS degree or until they
attempt or earn 180 or more credits--whichever happens first. The 180
credit hour maximum includes any transfer credits earned. Student
pursuing an associate degree may qualify for federal PELL grants until they
either complete their degree or meet/surpass 90 credit hours (including any
credit hours earned).
Students are also limited by federal and state regulations as to the amount
of aid that they can receive in any one semester or academic year (This
includes aid from any source, including private loans but not including
state work study). Students may not receive more in financial aid
than the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, room,
meals, and the cost of books, transportation and personal expenses.
The cost of attendance is established by Clarion University each
year. PHEAA state grant recipients are limited each year to a maximum
amount of gift aid (grant and scholarship aid that does not need to be
repaid) as determined by PHEAA regulations.
Students must be enrolled for at least six credits per semester (or summer)
and must be enrolled in a degree program to be eligible for the Pennsylvania
State Grant.
Limits on loans:
Undergraduate students may borrow a maximum of $23,000 subsidized, and up to
an additional $23,000 unsubsidized (if they qualify) through the federal
Stafford Student Loan program.
Students must be enrolled for at least six credits per semester (or summer)
and must be enrolled in a degree program to be eligible to receive a federal
loan.
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