The U.S. Department of Education funds several federal grant programs for students to help them pay for college. As a student at CWI, grants may be used to help pay for your education.
- Federal grants are awarded to students with financial need.
- Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is used to determine their need and eligibility for financial aid, including grants.
- Unlike loans, grants are not repaid unless you are incorrectly awarded funds or your enrollment plans change significantly.
Types of Grants
There are three types of federal grants available at CWI:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG)
Learn more about each type of grant below.
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Federal Pell Grant
Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. Eligibility is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (2023-2024 FAFSA) or your Student Aid Index (2024-2025 FAFSA).
How much can I get?
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The maximum Pell Grant award changes each year. The amount you are eligible to receive depends on your financial need, tuition costs, the number of credits you are enrolled in, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
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The amount of Pell Grant funds you may receive over your lifetime is limited by federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. Since the amount of a scheduled Pell Grant award you can receive each award year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%. The percentage of Pell you have used is called your Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU).
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The maximum award amount is also given for any Pell Grant eligible student whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001. You must be under 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time in college at the time of your parent or guardian's death.
How are Pell Grant funds disbursed?
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If you are eligible, once CWI receives your FAFSA and any required documents we will send an award notification explaining how much you are eligible to receive.
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CWI checks your enrollment and attendance prior to disbursing funds once a semester to your student account.
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The Pell Grant is applied to your tuition and fees first. If you are eligible for more than the amount of your charges, you may use this additional amount to charge your books at the Bookstore and/or can receive the amount as a refund.
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FSEOG Grant
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with the most financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for a FSEOG based on their FAFSA application date. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid.
How much can I get?
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You may receive between $100 and $4,000 a year. The exact amount depends on when you apply, your financial need, funding at the school you are attending, and your school’s financial aid policies.
HOW Are FSEOG funds disbursed?
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If you are eligible, once CWI receives your FAFSA and any required documents we will send an award notification explaining how much you are eligible to receive.
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CWI checks enrollment and attendance before disbursing funds once a semester to your student account.
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FSEOG is applied to direct charges first, such as tuition and fees. If your award amount from FSEOG and other sources exceeds these costs, you may be eligible for a refund.
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IASG Grant
A student whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001, may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG).
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Must be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant due only to having less financial need than is required to receive Pell funds and:
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Be under 24 years old OR
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Enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death
The IASG amount is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year. This amount cannot exceed the student's cost of attendance for that award year.
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