State & Inst Grants

As a full-time traditional undergraduate student, you might be eligible for campus grants, referred to as campus-based or institutional grants, because they are administered directly by your institution's financial aid office.

Educational institutions participate in both federal and state-funded grant programs, and may also have institutionally funded grant programs. Eligibility for these grants depends on your financial need, the amount of other aid you receive, and the availability of funds at your school. Check with your institution to see what might be available to you. To apply for grants, you need to first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is a federal grant administered by your institution. I is reserved for undergraduate students with great financial need. If you are eligible for a Pell grant, you might be eligible for a FSEOG. Like Pell grants, they never have to be repaid as long as you maintain your enrollment status.

If you're eligible for an FSEOG, your school will pay you these funds directly, usually by crediting the funds to your school account. The amount you receive through this grant depends on your financial need and the amount of other funding you receive. Awards range from $100 to $4000 a year.

State-Funded Grants
The amount of state grants varies widely by state and by individual institution. If eligible, you could receive anywhere between $100 and the full tuition charge. For example, New York State offers a Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for full-time students who are New York residents attending any accredited in-state college. In addition, a Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) is offered for educationally disadvantage students taking remedial (non-credit) courses. Both these awards are determined by financial need.

A number of states also offer state campus grants to particular ethnic groups, such as Native Americans, African Americans, and Mexican Americans. Other state grants are more specific, such as grants for ethnic groups entering a teacher education program. Your college or university's financial aid office, your high school guidance counselor, and/or your state's education department should have further information for you.