Grants

Grants are a form of gift-aid that do not have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund).  The grant award amount is based on need, college cost and your enrollment status. 

What types of grants are available? 
There are three categories of grants:

Federal Grants: The U.S. Department of Education offers several government grants, typically based on a student’s financial need.  The following federal grants are available and can be applied for by completing the FAFSA.

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)

State Grants: Every state offers their college students grant money, depending on certain criteria.  If you are an Ohio college student, you may be eligible for the following programs offered by the State of Ohio.

• Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program
• Ohio College Opportunity Grant
• Ohio Instructional Grant
• Ohio Student Choice Grant
• Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund
• Part-time Student Instructional Grant
• Regents Graduate/Professional Fellowship Program
• Student Workforce Development Grant Program
• TANF Educational Awards Program (TEAP)

Institutional Grants: Colleges provide institutional grants to help make up the difference between college costs and a family’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC), or the amount that a family is expected to pay toward a student’s educational costs, based on family earnings, assets, number of students in college, and family size. You will need to contact your college or university to find out which type of grants they offer.

Who is eligible?
Be sure to check the grant requirements to see if you are eligible, as each may vary.  Generally, grant award is based on one or more of the following: 

• Financial Need
• Academic Achievement
• State of Residency
• College of Attendance
• Field of Study
• Parent’s Employer

How do I apply?
Depending on the type of grant, there are several ways to apply:

• Federal Grants: By completing the FAFSA , you can apply for federal grants, which are typically awarded based on your financial need (cost of attendance minus the Expected Family Contribution).

• State Grants: To find out what state grants may be available to you, you can either check out your State’s website, or contact your college.  A good resource is the State of Ohio’s Board of Regents.

• Institutional Grants: Contact your college or university to find out which grants they offer.