Federal & State Grants Guide

Complete FAFSA as soon as it opens on October 1, especially if applying to schools with limited campus-based aid like Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). Many states have priority deadlines between November and March.

Submitting early maximizes your aid eligibility and ensures you don't miss institutional deadlines. Even if you haven't finalized your college list, submit FAFSA early—you can add schools later. Consider exploring Standardized Testing preparation as well.

Income limits vary by program. Federal Pell Grant primarily serves families earning under $60,000, but no absolute cutoff exists. Some state programs have higher income thresholds.

Always file FAFSA regardless of income—you may qualify for other aid, and FAFSA is required for federal student loans and work-study. Middle-income families often qualify for state grants, institutional aid, and subsidized loans even if Federal Pell Grant eligibility is limited.

Dependent students must include parent information on FAFSA. Independent students report only their own (and spouse's) information.

You're automatically independent if you're:

• 24 or older
• Married
• A graduate student
• A veteran or active military
• Have dependents other than a spouse
• An orphan, ward of the court, or in foster care

Simply living on your own or parents declining to contribute does NOT make you independent for FAFSA purposes. The criteria are strictly defined by federal law.

Yes. Financial aid is NOT automatically renewed. You must complete FAFSA or TASFA annually.

Your eligibility can change based on:

• Family income changes
• Household size
• Number of family members in college
• Your academic progress and credit hours (see GPA guidelines)

Submit renewal applications by the same early deadlines as first-year applications. Most colleges send renewal reminders, but it's your responsibility to track deadlines.

Yes! Students often receive Pell Grants and state grants simultaneously. Your total aid cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance (including Housing costs), but you can combine multiple grant sources.

Colleges package federal, state, and institutional aid together in your financial aid award letter. This stacking of aid is encouraged and designed into the system—the more grant sources you qualify for, the less you'll need to borrow.

Part-time enrollment reduces Pell Grant amounts proportionally:

• Three-quarter time: 75% of full-time award
• Half-time: 50% of full-time award
• Less than half-time: 25% of full-time award

Some state grants require full-time enrollment. FSEOG and TEACH Grants may have different enrollment requirements.

Important: Dropping classes after the add/drop deadline can affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress, potentially jeopardizing future aid eligibility. Check with your financial aid office before changing enrollment status.