Grants
Grants are a form of need-based aid that do not have to be repaid, unless you fail to maintain your eligibility. Federal Pell Grants are the most common, but there are also other grants you could qualify for, including state grants.
If you receive a grant, it will automatically post to your account, with no further acceptance process required.
If you have questions about grants or other forms of financial aid at EFSC, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
How to Apply for a Grant
When you complete the FAFSA, EFSC will automatically consider you for any grants that you're eligible for. Review the accordion below to get an idea about the various types of grants you might qualify for. Grant funding is limited, and many awards are first-come, first-served — so be sure to apply as early as possible!
Because your financial situation can change, you must reapply for financial aid each academic year.
Types of Grants Available Through EFSC
The Pell Grant is a federally funded program for undergraduates that is based on financial need. You're eligible to receive this grant for the equivalent of 12 semesters over the course of your studies, with eligibility determined annually based on the results of your FAFSA. Be sure to submit your FAFSA early!
Your Pell Grant may have multiple disbursement dates, depending on which parts of term you enroll in. Funds for full-term classes, for example, will disburse earlier than funds for Minimester B courses, which begin several weeks into the term. Learn more about receiving your aid.
Award Amount and Enrollment Status
Pell amounts are prorated according to your enrollment status:
- Full-Time: 12 or more credit hours
- 3/4-Time: 9 to 11 credit hours
- 1/2-Time: 6 to 8 credit hours
- Less Than 1/2-Time: 5 or fewer credit hours
Pell Grant amounts can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023–24 award year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024). For 2021-22, the approximate award range was $324 to $3,247 per term.
For each term, your enrollment status is determined on a specific Pell Census date, sometimes called the Pell Recalculation date. If you have submitted the FAFSA and are registered for any part of the term (including summer terms), your enrollment status will be automatically calculated on this date.
To maximize your aid eligibility, you should register for all your classes prior to the Pell Census date, as courses added afterward will not be factored into your enrollment status or award amount determination. If you are changing your major, please do not register until your new major is reflected in the myGPS Degree Audit tool in the myEFSC Portal.
Pell Census (Recalculation) Dates
Summer Pell Grants
If you qualify for a Pell Grant throughout the year, you may have additional eligibility for a summer Pell Grant. To be eligible for summer Pell funds, you must enroll at least 1/2-time (6 credit hours or more) during the summer and not have exceeded the 600% maximum Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used restrictions.
The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federally funded grant program directly administered by EFSC’s Financial Aid Office. It is designed for students with exceptional need, who have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
EFSC currently awards $200 per term, per eligible student in FSEOG funds.
Your eligibility for the FSEOG is determined annually based on the results of your FAFSA. Be sure to submit your FAFSA early, as we are unable to award additional FSEOG funds once we have distributed our full federal allotment for the year.
The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) is available to degree-seeking, resident, undergraduate students enrolled at EFSC, who demonstrate substantial financial need. This grant is funded by the Office of State Financial Assistance (OSFA) and disbursed by the EFSC Financial Aid Office.
EFSC currently awards $500 to $1,000 per term, per eligible student in FSAG funds. We prorate awards based on your final enrollment status following the add/drop period.
To be eligible for the FSAG, you must:
- Have been a Florida resident for at least one year
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Register for a minimum of 6 credit hours per term (or the equivalent) in an associate degree program (A.A. or A.S.)
- Not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree
- Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship programs (unless satisfactory repayment arrangements have been made)
- Meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for the receipt of state aid
Your eligibility for the FSAG is determined annually based on the results of your FAFSA. Be sure to submit your FAFSA early, as FSAG funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Florida Public Post-Secondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant (FSAG-CE) is available to resident undergraduate students enrolled in certificate programs at EFSC, who demonstrate substantial financial need. This grant is funded by the Office of State Financial Assistance (OSFA) and disbursed by the EFSC Financial Aid Office.
EFSC currently awards $500 to $1,000 per term, per eligible student in FSAG-CE funds. We prorate awards based on your final enrollment status following the add/drop period.
To be eligible for the FSAG-CE, you must:
- Have been a Florida resident for at least one year
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Register for a minimum of 180 clock-hours (or the equivalent of 6 credits) in a certificate program
- Not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree
- Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship programs (unless satisfactory repayment arrangements have been made)
- Meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for the receipt of state aid
Your eligibility for the FSAG-CE is determined annually based on the results of your FAFSA. Be sure to submit your FAFSA early, as FSAG-CE funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Funding is very limited for this state grant for first-generation students.