Types of Financial Assistance

• Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant program provides financial assistance to students who would otherwise not be able to afford to pay for college as undergraduates. Pell grants are significant to the financial aid package and may be combined with other forms of aid to cover the full cost of attendance. Federal Pell Grants are awarded based on each student’s financial need as determined by the federal methodology. Initial awards are estimated based on full-time enrollment status and then prorated based on a federal formula. For the 2023-24 award year, awards range from $761 to $7,395. Actual awards will be confirmed after the census date and before any disbursement.
  Students may receive up to 12 full-time terms or approximately six years of Pell Grant funding. You can easily manage your balance and account through the National Student Loan Data System website by logging in to your Federal Student Aid (FSA ID) account. Click the “Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used” tab under the Grants section.
  Pell-eligible students may receive additional funding during a summer term (up to 150% of their yearly award) if enrolled in at least six degree-applicable credit hours.
  Please note that a student who has earned a baccalaureate or first professional degree cannot receive a Pell Grant. However, students enrolled in an eligible post-baccalaureate program are still considered undergraduates and may be eligible. Contact Student Services to confirm eligibility for post-baccalaureate programs.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): SOEG is a federally-funded grant program awarded to undergraduate and vocational students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Funds are limited and awards are made based on the priority consideration deadline.
• Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSSG): FSAG is a state-funded grant program awarded to students with financial need based on state criteria. Recipients must have been a Florida resident for the previous 12 months, be enrolled at least half-time (six or more credits within a term), meet the financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress, and complete all attempted hours for each term during the prior year that the grant has been received for renewal.
• Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program:  The FWS program is a federally-funded need-based program. FWS awards a maximum of 20 hours of employment per week based on the availability of funds.
• Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship:If your parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer, you may be eligible for the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship. You may be eligible to receive the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship if:
  • Your parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer and,
  • You were less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of your parent or guardian's death.
  • The grant is equal to the maximum federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed your cost of attendance for that award year.
    For specific eligibility criteria, definitions, and information about this scholarship, see the U.S. Department of Education's announcement on the Federal Student Aid site.
• Other State-Funded Programs:
  • The Florida Department of Education offers various student financial assistance programs, which are administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). The OSFA website includes complete eligibility requirements, application procedures, award amounts, and renewal requirements.

    Eligible students will receive an annual award based on the programs. Currently, awards are not available for summer terms. Before the beginning of the term, an estimated award will be posted based on 12 credit hours of enrollment for the program.
    After the drop/add period ends, the awards will be updated based on actual enrollment.

    • José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund
    • Rosewood Family Scholarship Program
    • Minority Teacher Education Scholars (MTES)
    • Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV)
    • Florida Farmworkers Student Scholarship (FFSS)
    • Benacquisto Scholarship (FIS)
• Federal Direct Loan: Federal Direct Loans are available for undergraduate students who enroll at least half-time (six or more credits within a term). Academic year maximums are determined by federal regulations. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws or drops below half-time enrollment.  Loans are classified as subsidized or unsubsidized:
  • Subsidized loans are contingent on a student having financial need. Interest does not accrue on subsidized loans until the student enters repayment.
  • Unsubsidized loans are available as determined by federal regulations for students reaching subsidized eligibility limits or for those with less financial need. For the unsubsidized loan, the student is responsible for repaying all interest, which begins accruing immediately following disbursement.
• Federal Direct PLUS Loan: Federal Direct PLUS loans are available for parents of dependent students. Maximum eligibility is equal to the cost of education minus other aid. Repayment of principal and interest usually begins within 60 days of the disbursement of the loan, unless in-school repayment relief is granted.