Pell Grant

• Pell Grants are available to students who do not yet have a Bachelor's or graduate degree. (See Reference 2.) The Pell Grant can be renewed for up to eighteen semesters. (See Reference 1.) The maximum award amount for Pell Grants is $5,550.
  
  

Academic Competitiveness Grant

• To receive the Academic Competitiveness grant, you must be eligible for a Pell Grant and be enrolled at least half-time. This grant provides $750 in the student's first year of school and $1,300 during the second year. These amounts are the maximum that can be received. You must also have at least a 3.0 GPA during your first year of school to receive this grant. You are eligible for this grant only if you completed high school after January 1, 2006 if you are a first year student or after January 1, 2005 if you are a second year student. You must also have never been enrolled in an undergraduate program. (See References 1 and 2.)
  
  

National SMART Grant

• The National SMART Grant (National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant) is available to students in their third, fourth, and fifth years of college. (Fifth year aid is available only for the 2010-2011 school year.) Grants are awarded up to $4,000 per year. You must be eligible for a Pell Grant and be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program related to physical, computer or life sciences; math; technology; critical foreign language; or engineering. You must have at least a 3.0 grade point average as well. (See References 1 and 2.)
  
  

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are for undergraduate students with high financial need. Grants are awarded from $100 to $4,000. (See Reference 1.) They are available to students who have not yet earned a Bachelor's or graduate degree. Note that not every college participates in this program and that fund availability varies from college to college. (See Reference 2.)
  
  Check with your college to be sure it participates in these federal grant programs. Fund availability will vary from college to college, and each college will have different financial aid application deadlines. Contact your school's financial aid office to find out what its deadlines are. You may also need to complete forms for financial aid consideration apart from the FAFSA.
  
  

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

• If your parent or guardian died as a result of service in the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, you may be eligible for the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. This grant is "equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year -- not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year," according to the Student Aid on the Web website from the federal government. This grant is available beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.
  
  

TEACH Grant

• The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program gives grants to students who want to earn their teacher certifications of up to $4,000 per year. This grant is for students who will sign an agreement that they will teach in a public or private school that serves low-income students at the elementary or secondary level. You must teach in such a school for four years within eight years of completing your education. The grant is converted into an Direct unsubsidized loan.