Grants
Grants are need-based financial aid that does not have to be repaid
after you graduate. There are a number of state and federal grants
available. They're awarded from formulas that take into account your
family's income.
Pell Grants
The
Federal Pell Grant program
is designed to help economically disadvantaged students pay for
college. It's the foundation of most financial aid packages.
The U.S. Department of Education uses a formula, established by
Congress, to determine if you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and
to calculate how much you and your family are expected to pay –
Expected Family Contribution or EFC. The amount of the Pell Grant you
receive will depend on the EFC, the estimated cost of your education,
your enrollment status, and whether you attend school for a full
academic year or less.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
A
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
is for undergraduate students with exceptional need – those with the
lowest Expected Family Contributions. Priority is given to students who
receive Pell Grants and to freshmen and sophomores.
The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
ACG is
available to freshman and sophomores only. Students must be U.S.
citizens, enrolled full-time in degree programs, and eligible for Pell
Grants as well. Students classified as a sophomores must have earned at
least 24 credit hours and a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Recipients must have
completed a rigorous high school program of study as defined by the U.
S. Department of Education. For details on what constitutes a rigorous
program,
click here.
The Science Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)
SMART is available to juniors and seniors only. Students must be U.S.
citizens, eligible for Pell Grants, and enrolled full-time in degree
programs with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. Juniors
must have earned at least 48 credit hours; seniors must have earned at
least 72 credit hours. Recipients must also be enrolled in an eligible
major as defined by the U.S. Department. of Education. For a list of
those majors,
click here.
South Carolina Tuition Grants
The
South Carolina Tuition Grants
provide need-based aid to eligible South Carolina residents who are
full-time students attending certain in-state colleges.
To qualify, freshmen applicants must rank in the upper three-fourth of
their high school classes or score at least 900 on the SAT or at least
19 on the ACT. Continuing students must pass 24 credit hours and
maintain satisfactory academic progress as mandated by the college.
The application for the South Carolina Tuition Grant is the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Voorhees students from other states should contact their state agencies
for state grant opportunities.