Federal
Aid Programs
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The federal Pell Grant program, authorized by the Higher Education Act (HEA), is the single largest source of grant aid for postsecondary education attendance funded by the federal government. For the 2007/2008 school year, the maximum Pell Grant to be funded is $4,310. This program reaches over a fifth of all undergraduates each year.
Pell Grants are need-based aid intended to be the foundation for all federal student aid awarded to undergraduates (eligibility is limited to undergraduates). There is no absolute income threshold that determines who is eligible and who is ineligible for Pell Grants. Nevertheless, Pell Grant recipients are primarily low income.
Briefly, the Pell Grant program provides grants (i.e., aid that does not have to be repaid) to needy undergraduates. Need is determined based on information submitted by students on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to a “central processor” under contract to the Department of ED. The central processor provides each applicant with a Student Aid Record (SAR) and each higher education institution designated by the applicant with an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR); these documents contain the information submitted on the FAFSA and the calculated expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is what is expected to be contributed by the student and his or her family toward postsecondary education expenses. Pell Grants are portable, that is, the grant aid follows students to the eligible postsecondary education institutions in which they enroll. Institutions that receive a valid SAR or valid ISIR for a student meeting other program eligibility requirements must disburse a Pell Grant to such student. The size of the grants is based, principally, on the financial resources that students and their families are expected to contribute toward postsecondary education expenses, and the maximum grant that the annual appropriations process sets for the program.
Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
This new grant builds on the Pell Grant program to provide increased funds for students who complete a rigorous high school program of study. It is based on the information reported on the student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible for the ACG, a student will need to answer additional questions to help make the proper determination. To provide the needed information answer the questions online at www.fafsa.ed.gov using your Federal Student Aid PIN. Select the link or copy the entire link and paste it into the address or location line on the Web browser.
After answers are submitted, they will be sent to the colleges currently listed on your FAFSA. The financial aid administrator at your college will determine if you are eligible for an ACG. All follow-up information will come from the financial aid office at your college.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or FSEOG, is a grant program designed to encourage schools to provide postsecondary education grants to exceptionally needy undergraduate students. The funds are given to the schools as a block grant and the schools must administer it to its needy students. As with any block grant, the aid does not follow the student to another school. Students must be undergraduates pursuing their first bachelor's degree. It is awarded to students with exceptional need. Students receive $100 to $4000 for fulltime enrollment. Students must have filed the FAFSA to establish need.
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a block grant which provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Employment may be on or off campus with eligible employers. Students must first complete a FAFSA. They must then complete a work-study application and return it to the financial aid office.
Students must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for federal financial aid at Isothermal Community College. Students must:
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Be enrolled at Isothermal Community College in an associates degree program or an approved diploma/ certification program. |
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Be a United States Citizen or an eligible non citizen. |
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Have a Social Security card that carries a current and accurate legal name and Social Security Number. |
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Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a repayment on a federal grant. |
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Return necessary documents requested by the Financial Aid Office and the Office of Admissions. |
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If required, you must be registered with Selective Service. You can register on the Selective Service web site: http://www.sss.gov |
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You must be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Please read the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy for Financial Aid Eligibility to determine if you meet its requirements. If you are not making satisfactory academic progress, you may appeal your status by completing a SAP Appeal form. |
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