Grants
A grant is a monetary gift and does not have to be repaid, unless the student withdraws from school.
Grants are awarded based on financial need and may have further requirements. You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine your eligibility for grants.
Types of Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are awarded to eligible undergraduate students by the federal government. To determine eligibility students must complete the FASA as an undergraduate student, seeking your first bachelor’s degree
How is Federal Pell Grant eligibility determined?
Students are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant based on the following:
- Maximum Pell Grant - Students may qualify for a maximum Pell Grant based on family size, adjusted gross income, poverty guidelines, and tax filing status. Students qualifying for a maximum Pell Grant will have a Student Aid Index (SAI) between –1500 and 0
- Minimum Pell Grant - Students whose SAI is greater than the maximum Pell Grant award for the award year may still be eligible for a Pell Grant based on family size, adjusted gross income, and poverty guidelines.
- Student Aid Index (SAI) - Students who don’t qualify for the maximum or minimum Pell Grant may still be eligible if their calculated SAI is less than the maximum Pell Grant award for the award year. The student’s Pell Grant award will be equal to the maximum Pell Grant for the award year minus their SAI.
Beginning with the 2024-2025 aid year, the Pell Grant will no longer be based on enrollment status. Instead, disbursement amounts will now be calculated using Enrollment Intensity- which is a percentage value based on the number of credits a student is enrolled at census. Census is the date where we lock enrollment for Federal Aid purposes. The date usually coincides with the last day to add/drop for a 100% refund. Refer to the academic calendar for exact dates.
You are limited to a total of 6 full-time years (600%) of Pell Grant eligibility. Visit StudentAid.gov to determine the percentage of Pell Grant you have received.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG grant is available to undergraduate, Pell Grant-eligible students who are enrolled in 6 or more credits per semester.
- Students must complete the FAFSA.
- Must be a Pell-eligible undergraduate student
- Funding is limited, so apply early.
Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
A TEACH Grant is different from other federal student grants because it requires you to agree to complete four years of qualifying teaching as a condition for getting the grant. If you don’t complete your teaching service obligation, the grant will turn into a Federal Unsubsidized Loan that you must repay in full with interest. TEACH grants are available to graduate and undergraduate students who meet eligibility criteria.
The Federal TEACH Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants to graduate or undergraduate students who plan to pursue a career in teaching.
Federal Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG)
You may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if:
- You cannot be eligible for the Pell Grant based on your SAI but,
- Meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and
- Your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and
- You were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least half-time at the time of your parent’s or guardians death.
Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.
North Dakota State Student Incentive Grant
The North Dakota State Grant is for first-time undergraduate students who have:
- Graduated from a North Dakota high school or GED program
- Are residents of North Dakota
- Attend a North Dakota public, private or tribal college
Grants are for up to $2,200 per academic year, based on enrollment status. You can apply for the grant by completing the FAFSA.