GRANTS

Grants are a form of financial aid that you do not need to repay. You can get grants from:

• The federal government
• State governments
• Indian River State College

Grants are usually awarded based on your financial need. Some are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. The earlier you apply to Indian River State College and send us your FAFSA, the better your chance of qualifying for a grant.

Federal Grants

Pell Grant

The Pell grant program is the largest federal student aid grant program. You can apply if you:

• Are an undergraduate student
• Are admitted to and enrolled in a degree-seeking program

Your FAFSA is your application for the Pell grant. You can submit it at any time during the academic year, but it is always better to submit your FAFSA as early as you can.

Your award amount is calculated using a mandated federal formula that takes into account your Student Aid Index (SAI) and enrollment status. You can receive this grant for up to 12 full-time semesters or the equivalent (approximately 144 credits).

You may be eligible for Pell grants throughout the academic year and for varying enrollment types depending upon your SAI and overall eligibility. Any aid outside of Pell grants is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

SEOG grants are awarded to undergraduate students based on demonstrated financial need. You will only be considered for a SEOG if you are eligible for a Pell Grant. These grant funds are extremely limited and are awarded only until funds run out. Submit your aid application early to be considered for SEOG funds.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and High Education (TEACH) Grant

The TEACH Grant program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students ($16,000 total for four-year programs) who intend to:

• Teach in a high-need field
• In a public or private elementary or secondary school
• That serves students from low-income families

As a recipient of a TEACH grant, you must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which you received a TEACH Grant. If you do not fulfill this obligation, the grant becomes a loan you must repay.

In addition to having a valid FAFSA on file at Indian River State College, you will need to contact our Financial Aid Office and complete an internal application to be considered for this grant. If your internal application shows that you meet the TEACH criteria and we determine that you are eligible, we will contact you with further instructions.

If you receive a TEACH Grant, you will need to complete an Agreement to Serve (ATS) and complete initial and subsequent counseling.

State Grants

Several different types of state grants are available through the financial aid process. They include:

• Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
• Florida Student Assistance Grant for Certificate Programs (FSAGCE)
• First-Generation Matching Grant (FGMG)

Florida Student Assistance Grants (FSAG and FSAGCE)

FSAG and FSAGCE are grant programs funded by the state of Florida. To qualify, you must:

• Be enrolled in a degree-seeking or certificate-seeking program
• Complete your FAFSA
• Have the error-free results on file with Indian River State College by the end of the fall semester drop period
• Demonstrate substantial financial need

All funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying by the deadline does not guarantee an award. All awards are estimated and must be verified by the state. These awards are subject to change if any corrections or changes are made to your file, including receipt of other aid that decreases or eliminates your eligibility.

Academic Progress Requirements for Grant Renewal

An FSAG award may be received for a maximum of nine semesters over a maximum period of six consecutive years from the time of first disbursement. To receive FSAG for the following year, you must meet renewal criteria defined by the State of Florida.

Prior summer credit hours (from the previous academic year) may be used to determine eligibility. You must also meet Indian River State College standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress.

To renew a full-time award, you must:

• Successfully complete 12 credit hours for each semester of full-time funding
• Have a minimum 2.0 GPA at the end of spring semester

To renew a part-time award, you must:

• For half-time (1/2) disbursements: successfully complete at least six (6) credit hours for each half-time disbursement.
• For three-quarter (3/4) time disbursements: successfully complete at least nine (9) credit hours for each three-quarter-time disbursement.
• Have a minimum 2.0 GPA at the end of the spring semester.

First-Generation Matching Grant (FGMG)

The First-Generation Matching Grant program is a need-based grant supported by both institutional and state funding. You are only eligible for this grant if your parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. No separate application is required, but you must:

• Complete your FAFSA
• Indicate on your admissions application that you are a first-generation college student

We will select the students with the highest financial need for this award, giving priority to students who received the grant the previous year.

This award may not be available every year and it is not renewable. However, students may be considered each year if they meet the criteria and if funding is available.

IRSC Financial Need Grant

The IRSC Financial Need Grant is funded by Indian River State College. This grant is available to undergraduate students who:

• Meet all general eligibility requirements
• Demonstrate substantial financial need

Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.