| Federal Pell Grants | Federal SEOG Grants | Federal ACG Grants | National SMART Grants | PHEAA State Grants | Other State Grants |
Grants
Grants are financial aid awards that students do not have to repay. Students applying for grants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
General eligibility requirements must be satisfied by all students to receive grant assistance: they must be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., enrolled or accepted for enrollment at Bloomsburg in a degree or certificate program, and continuing students must be maintaining satisfactory progress.
Students cannot be in default of any federal loan program nor owe any refunds of federal grants. Students in default may have their eligibility restored if they have made satisfactory arrangements with the holder of the loan to repay it.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduates who are pursuing their first baccalaureate degree. These grants will range from $200 to approximately $4,310 per year. To apply for these grants, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Federal SEOG Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) are offered to students of exceptional financial need who would not otherwise be able to continue their education. Students are eligible to apply for this federal program if they have been accepted or are currently enrolled as undergraduate students. Grants range from $200 to $1,000.
To apply for these grants, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid no later than March 15, 2008, for the 2008-2009 academic year.
Federal ACG Grants
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) are made possible through the recently enacted Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA). No application is necessary other than the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The ACG is available to students who meet the following criteria:
- Full-time student, enrolled in a two- or four-year degree-granting institution
- U.S. Citizen
- Pell Grant Recipient
- Have completed a rigorous high school program (after January 1, 2006 if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005 if a second-year student)
- No previous enrollment in an undergraduate program if a first-year student
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA for second-year students
An eligible student may receive an ACG of $750 for the first academic year (0-23 credits) and $1,300 for the second academic year (24-47 credits). Students who are awarded the ACG must also meet other eligibility requirements for federal aid as outlined in Bloomsburg's "Guide to Financial Aid". Failure to maintain all eligibility requirements will result in the cancellation of the student's ACG.
If you have questions about the Academic Competitiveness Grant, or you feel you meet the eligibility requirements for this program and have not been awarded a grant, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (570)389-4297.
National SMART Grants
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (SMART) are also made possible through the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA). No application is necessary other than the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The SMART Grant is available to students who meet the following criteria:
- Full-time student, enrolled in a four-year degree-granting institution
- U.S. Citizen
- Pell Grant Recipient
- Major in physical science, life science, computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language (NOTE-Education majors are not eligible)
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA
An eligible student may receive a SMART Grant of $4000 for both the third academic year (48-71 credits) and the fourth academic year (72-95 credits). Students who are awarded the SMART Grant must also meet other eligibility requirements for federal aid as outlined in Bloomsburg's "Guide to Financial Aid". Failure to maintain all eligibility requirements will result in the cancellation of the student's SMART Grant.
If you have questions about the SMART Grant, or you feel you meet the eligibility requirements for this program and have not been awarded a grant, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (570)389-4297.
PHEAA State Grants
PHEAA State Grants are designed for full-time and part-time undergraduate students taking at least six credit hours per semester who are residents of Pennsylvania. Students must be enrolled in a degree program. These grants range from approximately $200 to $4,000 per year. To apply, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Some students also will be required to complete the PHEAA Grant Status Notice, which will be mailed to the student by PHEAA. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2008, for the 2008-2009 academic year.
To remain eligible, students must maintain satisfactory progress and plan to complete their bachelor's degree within eight semesters. The satisfactory progress requirements for PHEAA State Grant differ from federal requirements. Students must earn twelve credits for each full-time semester of PHEAA State Grant received and six credits for each part-time PHEAA State Grant received. Passing grades in developmental courses may be used in two semesters during a student's academic career to help meet PHEAA's academic progress requirement if that course was also used to satisfy PHEAA's full or part-time enrollment guidelines. If you are a recipient of a PHEAA State Grant and have questions concerning this, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Students may receive a PHEAA State Grant for enrollment during the summer, however, a separate summer application is required. The summer semester counts towards the maximum eight semesters of eligibility. Summer PHEAA State Grant applications are available from the Office of Financial Aid in May and June or online at www.pheaa.org.
Other State Grants
Other state grants are available to many out-of-state students from their home states. These students are encouraged to investigate the availability of such financial assistance. The names and addresses of State Grant Agencies are available from the Office of Financial Aid.