KU Office of Student Financial Aid

Grants

A grant is a type of financial aid that is generally not repaid and whose source could be through federal, state, or university funds. Federal and state grants are typically awarded to undergraduate students only, but institutional grants (such as the KU Tuition Grant) may be awarded to undergraduates and graduate/professional/law students. Grants are usually need-based programs and are typically awarded to students with financial need. Information included on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant, Kansas Comprehensive Grant, and KU institutional grant programs.

To be considered for limited funded need-based grants, you must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements (each individual program may have additional eligibility requirements):

  • File the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov (the OSFA recommends you file your FAFSA by the March 1st KU priority date to be considered for limited funded programs)
  • Be an undergraduate student who has never earned a bachelor's degree or professional degree (except for the KU institutional grants; see additional eligibility requirements)
  • Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student (financial aid is generally not available for non-degree seeking students or for continuing education coursework)

Although award amounts may differ from year to year for each grant program, it is rarely the case that the total amount of grant aid awarded is sufficient to cover a student's total cost of attendance. A student's estimated cost of attendance includes estimated expenses for tuition, fees, room, board, books, transportation, and personal expenses for the academic year. Students with good academic standing and high financial need may also qualify for need-based scholarships. In addition, many students consider self-help assistance, such as Federal Work-Study or student loans.

Note: See the Financial Aid Guide for information regarding circumstances that may cause your aid to be adjusted or cancelled. If you withdraw from classes, you may be required to repay some or all of your aid. Review the Withdrawing and/or Dropping classes publication for details.

See the following sections below for detailed information about each type of grant:

Federal Grants | State Grants | Institutional Grants

Undergraduate students may qualify for...

Graduate/Professional/Law students may qualify for...

International students may qualify for...

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FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAMS

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant that is funded by the federal government. To receive a Pell Grant, an eligible student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) must be less than or equal to the maximum figure established by the federal government for the academic year. The EFC is calculated based on information reported on the FAFSA. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below)

Federal Pell Grant Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need
Repayment Terms Generally, no repayment
Eligible Students Undergraduates working on a first degree
Minimum Enrollment Award amount varies according to enrollment

Federal Pell Grant Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the final FAFSA deadline (the OSFA recommends you file by the March 1st KU priority date to be considered for limited funded aid programs). You will automatically be considered for this award if you qualify based on your EFC and meet the above criteria.
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.

Federal Pell Grant Award Amounts

The maximum Federal Pell Grant for full-time students for the 2009-2010 academic year is $5,350 and the minimum award is $976. The maximum EFC figure to be eligible for 2009-2010 is $4,617.

Awards for students enrolled less than full-time are prorated and awards are based on EFC ranges set by the federal government.

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Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a need-based federal grant. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below).

ACG Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need
Repayment Terms Generally, no repayment
Eligible Students First- or second-year undergraduate students working on a first degree who have completed a rigorous high school program (as defined by the U.S. Department of Education) and who are also eligible for the Pell Grant. First-year students must have graduated high school after January 1, 2006. Second-year students must have graduated high school after January 1, 2005 and have a 3.0 cumulative KU GPA at the end of their first year.

ACG Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the final FAFSA deadline (the OSFA recommends you file by the March 1st KU priority date to be considered for limited funded aid programs).
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.

ACG Award Amounts

  • First-year students may receive up to $750 per year.
  • Second-year students may receive up to $1,300 per year.
  • Award amount also depends on remaining financial need.
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National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant

The National SMART Grant is a need-based grant that is funded by the federal government. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below).

National SMART Grant Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need
Repayment Terms Generally, no repayment
Eligible Students Third- or fourth-year undergraduate students (students in a designated fifth year program may also qualify) working on a first degree who are in a designated field of study (Computer Science, Engineering, Technology, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, or designated foreign language) and who are also eligible for the Pell Grant. Students must have a 3.0 cumulative KU GPA at the beginning of each payment period.

National SMART Grant Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the final FAFSA deadline (the OSFA recommends you file by the March 1st KU priority date to be considered for limited funded aid programs).
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.

National SMART Grant Award Amount

Students may receive up to $4,000 per year. Award amount also depends on remaining financial need.

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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Federal SEOG is a need-based grant that is funded by the federal government. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below).

Federal SEOG Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need
Repayment Terms Generally, no repayment
Eligible Students Undergraduate students working on a first degree who are also eligible for the Pell Grant and meet KU's March 1st application priority date.
Minimum Enrollment 6 credit hours

Federal SEOG Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the March 1st KU priority date. This is a limited funded program, so students with complete financial aid files by March 1st will be given priority consideration.
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.

Federal SEOG Grant Award Amounts

Due to limited funding, the Federal SEOG award amount may vary each year. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the maximum award is $400. Award amount also depends on remaining financial need.

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Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Higher Education Grant

The BIA Tribal Grant is a need-based grant administered by American Indian tribes who are eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States through the BIA. Recipients must be a member, or at least one-quarter degree Indian blood descendent of a member, of an American Indian tribe of the BIA. Recipients must also be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements ( see table below).

BIA Tribal Grant Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need
Repayment Terms Generally, no repayment
Eligible Students Undergraduates. Individual tribes determine additional eligibility requirements.
Minimum Enrollment 12 credit hours

BIA Tribal Grant Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the final FAFSA deadline (the OSFA recommends you file by the March 1st KU priority date to be considered for limited funded aid programs).
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.
  3. Contact your tribe to complete the financial need analysis and/or application form available from the tribe. A Financial Aid Counselor in the OSFA can assist you with completing the need analysis form.

BIA Tribal Grant Award Amounts

The amount of award depends on a student's financial need and on the availability of funds for the individual BIA tribe.

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Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

The Federal TEACH Grant is a new grant program beginning in 2008-09 that is funded by the federal government and is not need-based. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below).

TEACH Grant Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need No financial need required
Repayment Terms No repayment as long as student meets service obligation (see below)
Eligible Students
  • Undergraduates or graduates enrolled in an eligible program (see below for KU designated eligible programs) that will allow them to begin a career in teaching.
  • Score above the 75% percentile on an admissions test (e.g. ACT, SAT, GRE) or graduate from high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.
  • If approved on the GPA requirement but not the admissions test requirement, you must maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA throughout the academic program for which you are awarded a TEACH Grant.
  • You must complete TEACH Grant counseling for each award period.
  • You must sign a TEACH Grant "Agreement to Serve" each year with the U.S. Department of Education.
Minimum Enrollment The TEACH Grant award is prorated based on the number of hours in which you are enrolled.

TEACH Grant Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the final FAFSA deadline (the OSFA recommends you file by the March 1st KU priority date to be considered for limited funded aid programs).
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.
  3. Answer "yes" to the FAFSA question that asks, "Are you planning on completing coursework, now or in the future, necessary for you to become an elementary or secondary school teacher?"
  4. If you have interest in the TEACH Grant, you will be required to complete a TEACH Grant Eligibility form available in the OSFA to determine your eligibility.

TEACH Grant Award Amount

Eligible undergraduates qualify for up to $4,000 per year ($16,000 maximum for a four year program). Graduate students qualify for up to $4,000 per year ($8,000 maximum limit).

TEACH Grant Service Obligation Requirements

In order to fulfill the service obligation of the TEACH Grant, you must be a highly qualified, full-time secondary or elementary teacher in a high-need subject area for at least four years within eight years of finishing your program at a school serving low income students. A highly qualified teacher is defined at http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0414.html.

A full-time teacher is one who spends the majority (at least 51%) of his/her time teaching in one of the high-need subject areas. Because of the 51% requirement, most elementary teachers will not be able to meet the service requirement. A school serving low-income students is designated by the U.S. Department of Education at http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0414.html.

If a you fail to complete the four years of service for each eligible program for which you received the TEACH Grant within eight years of completing your program, the grant will convert to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest accrued from the date of the first disbursal of the funds. Once the grant converts to a loan, it cannot be converted back to a grant.

University of Kansas Designated Eligible Programs for the TEACH Grant

The University of Kansas has designated the following programs to be TEACH Grant eligible programs:

  • UKanTeach (Math and Science)
  • Admittance into the 5-year Teacher Education Program (Math, Science, Foreign Language for middle and secondary licensure)
  • Graduate Licensure Program (Math, Science, Special Education, Foreign Language)
  • Curriculum & Instruction Masters Program (Reading Specialist and Bilingual Education)

For more information on these programs, visit the UKanTeach website at www.ukanteach.ku.edu or the School of Education website at www.soe.ku.edu.

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STATE GRANT PROGRAMS

Kansas Comprehensive Grant (KCG)

The Kansas Comprehensive Grant (KCG) is a need-based grant that is funded by the State of Kansas. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below).

Kansas Comprehensive Grant Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need
Repayment Terms Generally, no repayment
Eligible Students Kansas resident, undergraduate students working on a first degree.
Minimum Enrollment 12 credit hours

Kansas Comprehensive Grant Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the March 1st KU priority date. This is a limited funded program, so students with complete financial aid files by March 1st will be given priority consideration.
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.

Kansas Comprehensive Grant Award Amount

Due to limited funding, the KCG award amount may vary each year. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the maximum award is $500. Award amount also depends on remaining financial need.

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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS INSTITUTIONAL GRANT PROGRAMS

University of Kansas Tuition Grant (KUTG)

The KU Tuition Grant (KUTG) is a limited funded need-based grant. This $8.6 million need-based grant program helps ensure access and affordability for students to attend the University of Kansas. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below).

KUTG Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need after all gift aid has been awarded
Repayment Terms Generally, no repayment
Eligible Students Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in classes on the Lawrence or Edwards campus (students whose tuition is waived or paid by a third party are not eligible for KUTG).
Minimum Enrollment 6 credit hours

KUTG Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the March 1st KU priority date.
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.

Due to limited funding, the KUECTG award amounts may vary each year (the following amounts are based on 2008-09). Award amount also depends on remaining financial need.

KUTG Award Amounts
Undergraduate Students 12+ hours $2,700 per year
6-11.99 hours $1,250 per year
Graduate/Professional/Law Students 9+ hours $1,700 per year
6-8.99 hours $850
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University of Kansas Edwards Campus Tuition Grant (KUECTG)

The KU Edwards Campus Tuition Grant (KUECTG) is a limited funded need-based grant. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking program on the Edwards campus, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below).

KUECTG Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need after all gift aid has been awarded
Repayment Terms Generally, no repayment
Eligible Students Undergraduate and graduate students who are degree-seeking and have been admitted to a KU Edwards Campus academic program. Students must be enrolled in coursework at the KU Edwards Campus (students whose tuition is waived or paid by a third party are not eligible for KUECTG).
Minimum Enrollment 6 credit hours

KUECTG Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA by the March 1st KU priority date.
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.

Due to limited funding, the KUECTG award amounts may vary each year (the following amounts are based on 2008-09). Award amount also depends on remaining financial need.

KUECTG Award Amounts
Undergraduate Students 12+ hours $800 per year
6-11.99 hours $400 per year
Graduate/Professional/Law Students 9+ hours $800 per year
6-8.99 hours $400 per year
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University of Kansas International Student Tuition Grant (KUISTG)

The KU International Student Tuition Grant (KUISTG) is a limited funded need-based grant. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking program, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards, meet all federal aid eligibility requirements, and meet program-specific requirements (see table below).

KUISTG Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need Student must demonstrate financial need after all gift aid has been awarded
Repayment Terms No repayment
Eligible Students Undergraduate and graduate international students (F-1 or J-1) enrolled in classes on the Lawrence campus who have completed a full academic year at KU by the beginning of the award period (students whose tuition is waived or paid by a third party are not eligible for KUISTG).
Minimum Enrollment 6 credit hours

KUISTG Application Process

Submit a completed International Student Need Analysis Worksheet (ISNAW) to the Office of Student Financial Aid in 50 Strong Hall. Due to limited funding, priority consideration is given to students who submit their application by the March 1st KU priority date.

Due to limited funding, the KUISTG award amounts may vary each year (the following amounts are based on 2008-09). Award amount also depends on remaining financial need.

KUISTG Award Amounts
Undergraduate Students 12+ hours $2,000 per year
6-11.99 hours $1,000 per year
Graduate/Professional/Law Students 9+ hours $1,400 per year
6-8.99 hours $700 per year
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Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Childcare Grant

The University of Kansas Student Senate allocates funds from the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) for programs on the Lawrence campus. The OSFA must apply for funds to support the childcare grant on an annual basis. The EOF Childcare Grant is available to students enrolled in at least 6 credit hours on the Lawrence campus and the custodial parent of one or more children in daycare (whom are not yet in first grade).

EOF Childcare Grant Eligibility Requirements
Financial Need No financial need required
Repayment Terms No repayment.
Eligible Students Undergraduates, Graduate/Professinal/Law students, and graduate international students (F-1 or J-1) enrolled in a degree-seeking program on the Lawrence campus.
Minimum Enrollment 6 credit hours
*Students receiving a scholarship from Hilltop Child Development Center are not eligible to receive the grant. Awards are contingent upon available funding.

EOF Childcare Grant and Budget Adjustment Application Process

  1. File the FAFSA. International students must complete the International Student Need Analysis Worksheet (ISNAW). The OSFA recommends you file by the March 1st KU priority date to be considered for limited funded aid programs.
  2. List the University of Kansas school code (#001948) on the FAFSA.
  3. Submit a complete Childcare Grant and Budget Adjustment Request form, which is available beginning the first week of September each academic year. The priority date for completing the request is typically during the third week of September. Equal priority will be given to all complete applications received by the priority date. Childcare costs are added to the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).

If you miss the priority date for requesting the grant, you may still submit the request form in order to have your COA adjusted (and to be waitlisted for the grant if funds become available). If you indicate an interest in loans on the form and you have remaining federal loan eligibility, you will be awarded additional loans. Once grant funds have been disbursed each year, the grant application is replaced by the Childcare Budget Adjustment Request form, which will be available for the remainder of the academic year. If you are attending KU during the summer, a separate budget adjustment request must be submitted to the OSFA.

EOF Childcare Grant Award Amounts

The OSFA must apply for funds to support the EOF Childcare Grant on an annual basis. Award amounts vary each year and are dependent on many factors. Contact the OSFA for more information.

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