Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a campus-based federal grant program for eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. FSEOG funds are limited, and completing the FAFSA does not guarantee that a student will receive an award.

Need-Based Aid and Awarding Priority

FSEOG is awarded based on financial need. Federal regulations require institutions to give first priority to eligible students with the lowest Student Aid Indexes (SAIs) who will also receive Federal Pell Grants during the award year.

If funds remain after eligible Pell Grant recipients have been considered, USW may award FSEOG to other eligible undergraduate students with the lowest SAIs.

Limited Funding

The U.S. Department of Education allocates a limited amount of FSEOG funding to participating institutions each award year. Once USW’s available funds have been awarded, additional eligible students may not receive FSEOG.

Students should complete the FAFSA and all requested financial aid requirements by USW’s applicable priority deadlines. Receiving FSEOG in one year does not guarantee an award in a future year.

Grant Amounts

FSEOG awards generally range from $100 to $4,000 for a full academic year. The actual amount awarded by USW depends on:

• The student’s financial need;

• The student’s SAI and Pell Grant eligibility;

• The student’s cost of attendance;

• The amount of other financial assistance received;

• The student’s enrollment and period of attendance;

• USW’s awarding policies; and

• The availability of FSEOG funds.

The $100 minimum may be prorated when a student attends for less than a full academic year. Federal rules may allow an award of up to $4,400 for an eligible student participating in an approved study-abroad program.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for FSEOG, a student generally must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen;

• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as an undergraduate student in an eligible degree or certificate program;

• Not have previously earned a bachelor’s or first professional degree;

• Demonstrate financial need;

• Complete the FAFSA for the applicable award year;

• Meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid;

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress; and

• Satisfy any additional institutional requirements.

Application Process

No separate federal FSEOG application is required. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each award year.

FAFSA information is used to calculate the student’s SAI and determine financial need. USW then selects recipients in accordance with federal priority requirements, institutional awarding procedures, and available funding.

Submitting a FAFSA does not guarantee an FSEOG award.

Institutional Awarding and Disbursement

The U.S. Department of Education allocates FSEOG funds to participating institutions. USW determines individual student awards and disburses funds to eligible students according to federal requirements and institutional policies.

FSEOG is generally divided among the student’s applicable payment periods. Changes in eligibility, enrollment, attendance, financial need, or other financial assistance may affect the amount awarded or disbursed.

Renewal

FSEOG is not automatically renewed. Students must submit a new FAFSA each award year and continue to meet all federal and institutional eligibility requirements.

Because funding is limited, receiving FSEOG during one award year does not guarantee that the student will receive it in a subsequent year.

Repayment

FSEOG is a grant rather than a loan and generally does not have to be repaid. However, a student may be required to repay all or part of an award in certain circumstances, including withdrawal, a change in eligibility, an overaward, or receipt of funds for which the student was not eligible.

Additional information about FSEOG is available through Federal Student Aid.

Additional grant information and USW financial aid policies are available in the academic catalog.