(LifeWire) - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Basics:
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is reserved for the neediest of undergraduate students at about 4,000 participating colleges. Recipients can get between $100 and $4,000 a year. Pell grant recipients get top priority. The FSEOG differs from the Pell grant in that funding for the FSEOG is not guaranteed for all qualified students. It's often up to the particular school's financial aid office. Each institute is also responsible for 25% of the allocations. If a student is chosen, the school will either credit the student's account or pay directly by check at least once per academic term.
Qualifying for a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant:
Students must be accepted to or already enrolled in a participating institution and be in financially pressing circumstances. The U.S. Department of Education has a standard formula that takes into account household income, size and assets. For gauging purposes, note that the family income of Pell grant recipients is generally below $20,000 per year, and the FSEOG is considered even more restrictive.
Applying for a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant:
There is no specific FSEOG application; applicants should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Students should have handy their Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, W-2s and federal income tax returns of both the applicant and parents, bank statements and stock and investment documents. FAFSA provides application assistance at (800) 433-3243. If a student's situation falls within FSEOG parameters, the student will be notified.
