Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity (FSEOG) grants help undergraduate students undergoing significant financial hardship pay for the costs of college. These types of grants are generally only made available to candidates whose financial hardship exceeds what most other college applicants are experiencing. For example, in such cases, the ability for your household or parents to contribute toward your tuition must be exceptionally low or nonexistent.

Please note: Students already in possession of an undergraduate degree are not eligible to receive FSEOG monies.

Your FSEOG grant application is conveniently submittable online. Submission is possible using the FAFSA form, the same as it is for submitting Federal Pell Grant applications. When you complete the FAFSA form and FSEOG application you will be assigned an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. Your EFC number is vital to both your eligibility status and the amount of grant money you might receive. While Pell Grant funds are made available to all accepted recipients, FSEOG funding is more limited. FSEOG funding therefore also has more approval restrictions and qualification guidelines. Continue reading to learn more about FSEOG qualification requirements.

FSEOG Qualification Requirements

These grants enforce strict application submission deadlines. Funds are limited and competition to receive them is heavy. This means applying on-time and applying early is crucial to your chances of getting approved. In fact, funds are awarded to approved candidates on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once monies run out, no more are made available until the next funding year. Your school will set specific FSEOG application deadlines. Contact the financial aid department at your school to learn what this specific deadline is.

FSEOG funds do not have to be repaid unless the funds are misused and/or you become disqualified for eligibility. For example, if you leave your school program prior to completion you might have to repay your grant funds. Full-time students who switch to a part-time curriculum might also have to repay FSEOG money. Many grants are made available despite qualified recipients receiving other grant money or financial aid.

With FSEOG grants, however, your receiving additional financial aid might alter your eligibility status, especially if the additional financial aid reduces your financial hardship.

FSEOG Grant Amounts

The FSEOG grant program disburses amounts between $100 and $4,000 per student per year. 

Your EFC number (as described above) determines the amount of money for which you are qualified to receive. Your grant money will also be impacted by the severity of your financial need, your tuition costs, fund availability and the date and time you submit your application.