The United States Government, through the Department of Education, has made funds available for several federal grant programs. As a student at College of Western Idaho (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 a student’s 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)
Federal Pell Grant eligibility is determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated on the FAFSA. The FSEOG may also be available for Pell eligible students, on a first-come, first-served basis. The IASG has separate eligibility requirements for students whose parent(s) served in the Armed Forces.
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Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor or professional degree. Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.
HOW MUCH CAN I GET?
- The maximum Pell Grant award changes each year. The amount you are eligible to receive depends on your financial need, tuition costs, whether you are a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
- 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.
- You may receive only one annual Pell Grant award during a single academic year. Additionally, eligibility for receiving a Federal Pell Grant has changed to 12 semesters or its equivalent as a lifetime limit.
IF I AM ELIGIBLE, HOW are Pell Grant funds disBursed?
- Once CWI receives your FAFSA and any required documents, we will send an award notification explaining how much you are eligible to receive.
- CWI checks enrollment and attendance prior to disbursing funds once a semester to your student account.
- 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 exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for a FSEOG based on FAFSA application date. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid.
HOW MUCH CAN I GET?
- You may receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, your financial need, funding at the school you are attending, and your school’s financial aid policies.
IF I AM ELIGIBLE, HOW Are FSEOG funds disBursed?
- Once CWI receives your FAFSA and any required documents, we will send an award notification explaining how much you are eligible to receive.
- CWI checks enrollment and attendance before disbursing funds once a semester to your student account.
- 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 STUDENT 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
- Be under 24 years old, or
- Enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death.
The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year — not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year.