Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students who are eligible based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The amount you get will also depend on your status as a full-time or part-time student. The Pell Grant is limited to six years or 12 semesters.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Federal Pell Grant recipients with the lowest Expected Family Contribution will be considered first. Just like the Federal Pell Grant, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid. Funding is very limited in the FSEOG program and is not guaranteed to students.
Alabama’s Promise
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Award recently awarded The University of Alabama a $1 million grant to develop a community college advising program to help low income students in the Black Belt and Appalachia transfer to and graduate from four year institutions. Building on this initiative, The University of Alabama proposes a new need-based financial aid program, Alabama’s Promise, to compliment this important work. UA will award financial aid to community college transfers (who have only taken class at an Alabama community college) who meet the following criteria:
- Graduate from high school in Alabama
- Earn the Associate in Art or Associate in Science Degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 from a community college in Alabama or complete least 45 hours of general education requirements with a 3.0 QPA at a community college in Alabama
- Transfer from the Alabama community college in good standing
- Be 25 years of age or younger
- Complete the FAFSA qualifying for partial or full Pell Grant – with an Expected Family Contribution of 3500 or less (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the only application you need to complete for this award)
Students receiving financial support from Alabama’s Promise will be expected to enroll in 12 hours required for the degree each semester and to remain in good academic standing. To be awarded for the second year, the student must meet the Pell Grant/EFC requirement and have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) for the classes taken at UA. Qualifying students will receive $4,000 per academic year. Funding is limited and awarded based on admission and FAFSA application date.
Students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA and transfer scholarship application prior to December 1st. Alabama Promise may not be combined with UA transfer scholarships.
The financial support will normally be provided for four semesters. On a case by case basis, students may receive financial support for two additional semesters if the plan of study requires more than 120 hours and the student is taking the required load and making progress toward the degree.
