Federal & State Grant Programs

The U.S. Department of Education has established federal financial aid programs that are available to students attending post-secondary education institutions. The Federal & State programs are determined and awarded on the family's financial need. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may apply on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

The federal financial aid programs are:

• Pell Grant
• Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• College Work-Study
• Federal Perkins Loan*
• Federal Stafford Loan* 
  (subsidized and unsubsidized)
• Federal Parent PLUS Loan*

Grants

Grants are free money that do not have to be repaid. Some of the available grants include:

Pell Grant

This program is the federal government's largest gift-aid program and provides funds to eligible undergraduate students who have not yet obtained a bachelors or professional degree. Applications must show financial need to be eligible. The grant amounts range from $400 to $4,050.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The federal SEOG is given to undergraduate students with significant financial need and priority given to Pell Grant recipients. Amounts range from $100 to $4,000. These grants are awarded by the school. The amount you receive may depend on the timing of your application, and the school's available funding for the program.

Arkansas Student Assistance Grant

The Arkansas SAG is a need-based program that is funded by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). ADHE receives an allotment from the U.S. Department of Education and matches this with state funds. Click here to access the ADHE site.

Work Study

The work-study program provides jobs to students with financial need to earn money to pay for educational expenses. The program allows students to work either on or off campus and acquire work skills and contacts for future job references. The work hours and pay are determined by the school and the pay is at least minimum wage.

*For more information about Federal loan programs, visit Loan Options.