Grants and Scholarships

A common misconception about grants and scholarships is that only "poor" students can get them. The truth is, financial need isn't the only criteria for awarding grants and scholarships.

Programs award funds to students for a variety of reasons. You could get a scholarship based on:

• Your particular major
• Athletic ability
• Scholastic ability
• Religious affiliation
• Race
• Social activities

While state grant programs or individual, campus-based financial aid programs may have different deadlines or require more information than what you provide on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), many use the FAFSA as the first step for applying.

Contact your state agency or your campus' Financial Aid Office to determine if they have alternative deadlines or form submission requirements for their programs.

State-specific grant and scholarship information

• Delaware residents
• Pennsylvania residents
  • Act 101 Grant for Disadvantaged Pennsylvania Students

The two most common programs are Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).

• What are they?
  Both grants are forms of financial aid from the federal government that you do not have to repay.
• Who qualifies?
  Undergraduate students with financial need who have not yet earned a Bachelor's or professional degree. Students with exceptional financial need (i.e. the lowest Expected Family Contribution scores) qualify for the FSEOG.
• How?
  Fill out the FAFSA to find out if you qualify. Once the Department of Education processes your FAFSA, they will send you a report that notifies you of the types of financial aid for which you qualify.