The U.S. Department of Education offers multiple discretionary EDU grants. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) help undergraduate students experiencing significant financial hardship pay for college. Federal Work-Study programs are also available, which create part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students through their schools.

To qualify for the FSEOG program you or your household must be experiencing extreme financial hardship. Your expected family contribution (EFC) must be either exceptionally low or nonexistent. If you already possess an undergraduate degree you are not qualified for this program. All candidates must first submit a FAFSA form. 

This makes applying for financial aid online through the FSEOG program familiar and convenient. Funding for this program is significantly limited (even more than Federal Pell Grant funding). Therefore, FSEOG approval restrictions and qualification guidelines are less flexible. Learning what you need to qualify for this grant program is essential to filling out your application correctly and receiving the funds you need.

You must qualify for and receive a Federal Pell Grant to also qualify for FSEOG monies. FSEOG application deadlines are strictly enforced. Limited funding and heavy applicant competition both contribute to deadline restrictions. 

Applying accurately and on-time is vital to ensuring you are considered for this program. Chosen recipients are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. When FSEOG funding is depleted during each funding year, no more money is made available until the program recommences during the following year. If you are uncertain about your application deadline, consult the financial aid department at your school or research the FSEOG.com website for more information.

Recipients must be U.S. citizens. Only full-time students are considered. Typical of most EDU grants, money awarded from this program does not require repayment if used as intended. If misused, however, or if other requirements are not met post-funding, repayment rules might take effect.

To qualify for FSEOG money you must adhere to the program’s repayment policies, which include:

• Staying in school until you complete your entire curriculum.
• Remaining a full-time student until your graduate.
• Using funds only for approved expenses including tuition, room/board and other approved school expenses.

This program awards between $100 and $4,000 per year per recipient. Money is either disbursed to your school, directly to you or jointly between both. Either way, funds must be used to pay for only qualified expenses. The amount of money you receive depends on your financial need and applicable school expenses. 

Note: It is legal to receive money from multiple grant programs simultaneously. Doing so might impair your qualification status for the FSEOG program. This program is heavily based on extreme financial need. Receiving money from additional grant programs might alter your financial status and disqualify your application.

Federal Work-Study programs provide part-time employment to students. The program works in-tandem with participating schools to create these opportunities. Qualified candidates typically reside in low-income households. 

The Federal Work-Study program therefore creates income-earning opportunities to help pay for the costs of college-based expenses. Because schools are involved in this process, all part-time work is coordinated with class schedules to ensure students receive the benefits of employment and studies simultaneously.