Financial Aid - The FSEOG Grant

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is typically awarded to undergraduate students from low-income families, and, as it is a grant, does not require repayment, unlike a student loan. As of last year (2009), grants were awarded under the FSEOG program of anywhere from $ 100 to $ 4,000 per annual. In order to provide proof of their qualification for the award of a FSEOG Grant, students are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Upon the successful receipt and evaluation of this form, their application will be either granted or denied, depending on the information given therein.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant was implemented in 1966, and has, from this time, awarded many millions of dollars to students from low-income families. From 2009, the FSEOG program was second only to the Pell Grant program in terms of being the largest federal grant program.

In order to meet the criteria necessary to qualify for receipt of a FSEOG award, students must meet three main conditions: First, they must be an enrolled college undergraduate at one of the 4,000 participating universities. Second, the applicable should be a US citizen. Finally, the student should demonstrate 'significant financial need'. By filling out the FAFSA form, the student will automatically be considered for a FSEOG, so there is no need to fill out a separate application.

Students in receipt of the Federal Pell Grant-and those with the lowest projected family contributions-will be the first in line to be considered for the FSEOG. The main deadline for submission of FAFSAs is June 30th, although with regards to state financial aid, individual states will have their own deadlines, so be sure to look on the FAFSA website in order to be sure of your dates.

With regards to the receipt of a FSEOG award, students should get their FAFSAs in on time, and should also make sure that they maintain a decent academic record while also being governed in a minimum of six credits. In the event that these conditions cease to be met in full, FSEOG payments may be stopped. Additional students may wish to see what other federal grants may be available to them in order to maximize their potential funding while attending school and minimize the financial difficulties they may face afterward.