A grant is a form of financial aid that does not have to be repaid.  FGCU participates in several need-based federal and state-funded grant programs. A list of the grant programs available at FGCU follows:

Undergraduate Grants

Graduate Grants

Undergraduate Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not previously earned a bachelor's or professional degree. The amount of the award is based on the students' Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and their enrollment status. Students are eligible for a full-time award when they are enrolled in a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than twelve credit hours per semester. To qualify, you must demonstrate exceptional need. The maximum annual award for 2012-2013 is $5,550. 

Elimination of Year Round Pell Grant - Receiving a Federal Pell grant greater than 100% of the annual award is no longer an option with the 2011-2012 Award Year. For example: A student who was full time for both the Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 semesters will have no remaining Pell Grant eligibility for Summer 2012.

Lifetime Eligibility for Pell Grant - New regulations effective July 1, 2012 limit the receipt of a Pell Grant to a lifetime limit of 12 full-time semesters.  All previous semesters at other colleges/universities will be included in the total.  A student also becomes ineligible for a Pell grant if they earn a bachelor’s degree prior to reaching the 12-full time semester limit.  This limit will be tracked by the U.S. Department of Education.  

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional financial need (i.e. they have a low EFC and are also Federal Pell Grant recipients).  Awards range from $200 - $500 per academic year, depending upon college funding levels. Due to limited funding, not all students that meet eligibility and deadline requirements will receive this grant. This grant is for one year only and is not guaranteed in subsequent years.

TEACH Grant Program

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants up to $4,000.00 per year to upper-level and graduate students who intend to teach in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.  Undergraduate students must major in Special Education, Secondary Math Education or Secondary Biology Education; graduate students must major in Special Education or Reading.  Student must have and maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA to be eligible for the TEACH Grant.  As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, students are required to teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which they received a TEACH Grant.  Failure to complete this service obligation will result in the TEACH Grant being converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)

The Florida Student Assistance Grant is awarded to undergraduate Florida residents with substantial financial need who enroll in a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester.  A FSAG award at FGCU can range from $200 - $2,000 per academic year.  A student must submit the FAFSA in a timely manner to be considered for this grant and be Pell eligible. Due to limited funding, not all students that meet eligibility and deadline requirements will receive this grant. This grant is for one year only and is not guaranteed in subsequent years.  Additional eligibility and renewal criteria for this award can be found at http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/FSAG.htm.

First Generation Matching Grant (FGMG)

The First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG) provides need-based grants to undergraduate students who are enrolled in state universities and whose parents have not earned baccalaureate degrees. Available state funds are contingent upon matching contributions from private sources on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The Office of Financial Aid ranks all eligible applicants on the basis of financial need, determine the award amount for each recipient, and notify each student of  their award. The maximum award amount of $1,000 is prorated based on the enrollment status. Due to limited funding, not all students that meet eligibility and deadline requirements will receive this grant. This grant is for one year only and is not guaranteed in subsequent years. The student should satisfy the following eligibility criteria for this grant:

• Beginning in the Academic Year 09-10, the student must also be eligible to receive the Florida Student Assistant Grant (FSAG).
• The student will meet Florida's residency requirements for receipt of state financial aid by maintaining Florida residency for purposes other than education for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of class of the academic term for which funds are available.
• Not owe a repayment under any State, Federal Grant or  Scholarship Program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
• Not be in default on any Federal Title IV or State Student Loan Program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
• Previously have not earned a baccalaureate degree. Be a first generation college student. (Note: A student is considered "first generation" if neither of the student's parents earned a college degree at the baccalaureate level or higher)
• A student would also be eligible if he/she regularly resided with and received support from only one parent who did not earn a baccalaureate degree.
• Enroll for a minimum of 6 credit hours per term as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to demonstrate financial need. 
• Starting 2007-2008 academic year, submit the Application for Foundation Scholarships.

FGCU Undergraduate Grant

The FGCU Undergraduate Grant is awarded to needy students who file the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 1.   Students are eligible for a full-time award when they are enrolled in a minimum of twelve undergraduate credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than twelve undergraduate credit hours per semester.  Students must enroll for at least six undergraduate credit hours per semester in order to be eligible. The maximum full-time award is $1,200 per academic year. Due to limited funding, not all students that meet eligibility and deadline requirements will receive this grant. This grant is for one year only and is not guaranteed in subsequent years. 

FGCU Housing Grant

The FGCU Housing Grant is awarded to needy dependent students who do not live at home with their parents and who file the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 1.   Students are eligible for a full-time award when they are enrolled in a minimum of twelve undergraduate credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than twelve undergraduate credit hours per semester.  Students must enroll for at least six undergraduate credit hours per semester in order to be eligible.  The maximum full-time award is $1,200 per academic year. Due to limited funding, not all students that meet eligibility and deadline requirements will receive this grant. This grant is for one year only and is not guaranteed in subsequent years. 

FGCU Single Parent Grant

The FGCU Single Parent Grant is awarded to needy independent students who are single parents and who file the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 1. Students are eligible for a full-time award when they are enrolled in a minimum of twelve undergraduate credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than twelve undergraduate credit hours per semester. Students must enroll for at least six undergraduate credit hours per semester in order to be eligible.  The maximum full-time award is $1,000 per academic year. Due to limited funding, not all students that meet eligibility and deadline requirements will receive this grant. This grant is for one year only and is not guaranteed in subsequent years. 

Graduate Grants

FGCU Graduate Grant

The FGCU Graduate Grant is awarded to needy graduate students who file the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 1.   Students are eligible for a full-time award when they are enrolled in a minimum of nine graduate credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than nine graduate credit hours per semester.  Students must enroll for at least five graduate credit hours per semester in order to be eligible.  The maximum full-time award is $1,600 per academic year. Due to limited funding, not all students that meet eligibility and deadline requirements will receive this grant. This grant is for one year only and is not guaranteed in subsequent years.

TEACH Grant Program

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants up to $4,000.00 per year to upper-level and graduate students who intend to teach in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.  Undergraduate students must major in Special Education, Secondary Math Education or Secondary Biology Education; graduate students must major in Special Education or Reading.  Student must have and maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA to be eligible for the TEACH Grant.  As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, students are required to teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which they received a TEACH Grant.  Failure to complete this service obligation will result in the TEACH Grant being converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.