The University of Alabama

FINANCIAL AID

Federal Grants and Work Study

Federal and work study grants, unlike loans, are monetary resources that do not have to be repaid. Grants and work-study are awarded based solely on financial need, and the amount you receive is contingent upon cost of attendance and enrollment status. In order to qualify for a federal or state grant, students must fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

There are four types of federal grants:

  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
  • Academic Competitiveness Grant
  • National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART Grant)

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded on basis of financial need as determined by information submitted on the FAFSA. It is awarded only to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Amounts vary according to enrollment status and need. The maximum grant for 2006-2007 is $4000.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant amount you receive depends not only on your financial need but, also, on the amount of other aid you get and the availability of funds at your school. Receiving other aid might reduce the amount of your FSEOG award. Not all schools participate in the FSEOG program.

The Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are Pell Grant eligible and who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. The program will be available for the first time for the 2006-2007 school term for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

The National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

Federal Work Study provides part time employment to both undergraduate and graduate students to help cover the cost of attendance. The total hours of paid work cannot exceed the cost of attendance.