Financial Aid

Grants

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:

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 2009-2010 is $5,350.

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.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Academic Competitiveness Grant is awarded to undergraduate students in their first and second year of study. The award for students in their first academic year of study is $750. The award for students in their second academic year of study is $1,300. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; a Federal Pell Grant recipient; enrolled at least half-time in a degree program; and have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second-year student). Second-year students must have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year coursework.

National SMART Grant Program

The National SMART Grant is awarded to undergraduate students in their third and fourth year of study. The award is $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study. To be eligible for each academic year, a student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen; a Federal Pell Grant recipient; enrolled at least half-time in a degree program; major in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language; and have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

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 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 enrolls in a minimum of twelve credit hours per semester. A FSAG award at FGCU can range from $200 - $1,900 per academic year. A student must submit the FAFSA in a timely manner to be considered for this grant and be Pell eligible.

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. The student should satisfy the following eligibility criteria for this grant:

Beginning in the Academic Year 09-10, the student must also be eligile 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 credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than twelve credit hours per semester. Students must enroll for at least six credit hours per semester in order to be eligible. The maximum full-time award is $1,000 per academic year.

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 credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than twelve credit hours per semester. Students must enroll for at least six credit hours per semester in order to be eligible. The maximum full-time award is $800 per academic year.

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 credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than twelve credit hours per semester. Students must enroll for at least five credit hours per semester in order to be eligible. The maximum full-time award is $1,000 per academic year.

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 credit hours per semester; they receive a prorated award when they are enrolled in fewer than twelve credit hours per semester. Students must enroll for at least six credit hours per semester in order to be eligible. The maximum full-time award is $1,000 per academic year.

Grants from States other than Florida

The following states (and the District of Columbia) make grants available to students who are residents attending school in any state. For information on financial aid grants from these states, please contact your state's Department of Higher Education. Further information is available at the following sites:

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.