Grants
Federal Pell Grant
The federal Pell Grant is considered to be the foundation of financial aid. Eligibility for this program is determined before aid from other sources (federal and non-federal) is awarded. The Pell grant does not have to be paid back, unlike loans. Awards are made according to the EFC calculated for the student. The Pell grant for the 2006-2007 academic year (July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007) maximum award is $4,050. The amount you receive will depend not only on your demonstrated financial need, but also on your costs to attend Keystone College, your status as a full time or part time student, and your plans to attend Keystone College for a full year or less.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant or SEOG is a grant awarded to students with exceptional financial need. Students who are Pell grant eligible with the lowest EFCs will be the first to receive SEOGs, which do not have to be paid back. Keystone College bases its SEOG awards on the EFC, demonstrated financial need, and funding available in the program.
Academic Competitiveness Grant
An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. The program will be available for the first time for the 2006-07 school year for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.
If you can answer YES to all of the following questions, you may potentially be eligible to receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant.
- Are you a U.S. citizen?
- Did you graduate from high school after January 1, 2005?
- Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?
- Will you be enrolled as a full-time first or second year student in a two-year or four-year degree program?
If you could not answer YES to all of the above questions, you do not qualify to receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant.
If you answered YES to all of the above questions, you meet the initial requirements for the grant. Please choose one of the options below.
If you have already completed a FAFSA application?
If you have already completed a FAFSA application, you will need to go back to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, and look under STEP 3. Beginning July 1, 2006, choose the option: "Make Corrections to a Processed FAFSA." We will ask you a few more questions that will determine if you meet the standards of rigorous secondary course work as a requirement to receive Academic Competitiveness Grant.
If you have not completed a FAFSA application?
If you have not completed a FAFSA application, you will need to go back to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, and look under STEP 2. Beginning July 1, 2006, choose the option: "Fill out a FAFSA." Part of the FAFSA process will determine if you meet the standards of rigorous secondary course work as a requirement to receive Academic Competitiveness Grant
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant or National Smart Grant
A National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.
To be eligible to receive a National SMART Grant, you must be able to answer YES to all of the following questions:
- Are you a US citizen?
- Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?
- Are you enrolled as a full-time third or fourth year student in a baccalaureate degree program?
- Do you have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average?
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Are you currently enrolled in an eligible major in one of the following categories: Computer Science, Engineering, Critical Foreign Languages, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Technology, or Multidisciplinary Studies? (Please click below to view complete list of eligible majors).
If you could not answer YES to all of the above questions, you do not qualify to receive a National SMART Grant. However, you may still qualify to receive other types of federal student financial aid. If you have not completed a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), please go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ and apply today.
If you answered YES to all of the above questions and you have already submitted a FAFSA form, please contact the Financial Aid Office at your school to identify yourself as a potentially eligible student.
Click Here For a Complete List Of Eligible Majors