Saint Francis University

Grant:

• A grant is gift aid that does not have to be repaid.
• Grants are awarded based on financial need, enrollment status, expected family contribution, and cost of attendance.
• Saint Francis undergraduate students who complete a FAFSA are automatically considered for the grants listed below

Federal Pell Grant Program:

• Federally funded student gift aid that does not need to be repaid.
• Awarded to undergraduate students who have high financial need who are working on their first bachelor’s degree.
• Awarded based on expected family contribution and number of credits you have scheduled.
• May be awarded to students who are half-time (six credits).
• The maximum fall-spring-summer award is $4,310 for the academic year; the maximum per semester is $2,155.
• Once you complete the FAFSA, you are automatically considered for the grant.
• You must meet federal student eligibility requirements.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG):

• Federally-funded gift aid awarded by Saint Francis to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are working on their first bachelor’s degree.
• Must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits).
• Maximum award is $1,000 per year.
• Once you complete the FAFSA, you are automatically considered for the grant.
• You must meet federal student aid eligibility requirements.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) Program:

The ACG is available to first and second-year students who meet the following criteria. This grant is in addition to the Federal Pell Grant and is designed to encourage students to take a rigorous high school curriculum to better prepare for college.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
• Be enrolled and remain at a minimum of 12 credits per semester during the first and second academic years of the program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution. Dropping below 12 credits during a semester will result in complete loss of the ACG for the enrollment period.
• Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student and after January 1, 2005, if a second-year student). A rigorous program of study is established by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Examples include: Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and test scores and State Scholars Initiative courses.
• Meet all other eligibility requirements for federal student financial aid.
• A first-year student can not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
• A second-year student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the end of the first academic year.

Award Amounts

• $750 for the first year of undergraduate study.  Eligibility is defined as 0 to less than 30 credits earned.
• $1300 for the second year of undergraduate study.  Eligibility is defined as a minimum of 30 credits to less than 60 credits earned.

Application

First and second year students can apply for the ACG by completing (or updating) the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The U.S. Department of Education notifies potentially eligible students of the necessary update to the FAFSA via U.S. mail or email.  That data is then transmitted to the University.  Additionally, the Office of Financial Aid is working with Admissions to identify eligible students based on the data from admissions applications.

National SMART Grant:

The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to students who meet the following criteria.  The grant is in addition to the Federal Pell Grant and is designed to encourage students to pursue specific college majors. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
• Be enrolled and remain at a minimum of 12 credits per semester in a degree program at a four-year degree-granting institution. Dropping below 12 credits during a semester will result in complete loss of the SMART Grant for that semester.
• Enroll in specific majors such as science, mathematics, technology, engineering, and critical foreign languages.
• Maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in course work required for the student's major.
• Meet all other federal student financial aid eligibility requirements.

Award Value

$4,000 towards each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study.  Third-year eligibility is defined as a minimum of 60 credits to less than 90 credits attained.  Fourth-year eligibility is defined as a minimum of 90 credits to less than 120 credits attained.

Application

Students apply for the National SMART Grant by completing and submitting the FAFSA.  Saint Francis University’s Financial Aid Office will determine eligibility and provide students with notification of awards. 

State Grant Programs:

• State-funded gift aid awarded by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) to undergraduate Pennsylvania residents who demonstrate high financial need.
• Non-Pennsylvania residents from certain states may receive state grants from their respective states.
• Awarded based on financial need and enrollment status: full-time (12 or more credits) or half-time (6 credits) for a maximum of 8 semesters to students enrolled in a four-year program and a maximum of 4 semesters to students enrolled in a two-year program.
• Note: If you choose to apply for a Summer PHEAA State Grant, it will be counted towards your maximum semesters of eligibility.
• Maximum full-time award beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year is $4,120 per year; maximum half-time award is $2,060 per year.
• If PHEAA receives your FAFSA information by May 1, you are automatically considered for the grant.
• You must meet student aid eligibility requirements.

PHEAA Grant regulations state that, for an approved program of study, at least 50% of the coursework for the minimum program length must be taken through classroom instruction in order to remain eligible for PHEAA Grant consideration.  This does not include online or independent learning courses.