Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. The amount you receive will depend on your:
- Financial need
- Cost of attendance
- Enrollment status
- Plans to attend school for a full academic year or less
Pell Grant eligibility is based on your Student Aid Index (SAI), which is calculated from the information provided in your FAFSA. The SAI reflects your family's financial situation and determines the amount of federal student aid you might receive. The Pell Grant does not require a minimum enrollment status, but the award amount will vary according to your enrollment status.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Federal SEOG funds are first-come, first-serve—due to limited funds, these often run out. The sooner you complete the FAFSA application, the more likely you are to be eligible for these funds. To be awarded an FSEOG, funds must still be available, and you must meet the same criteria as Pell Grant recipients and have an enrollment status of half-time or more.
Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant (LEAP Grant)
Like FSEOG funds, LEAP Grant funds are first-come, first-serve since these also run out due to limited funds. Once the full amount has been awarded to students, no more LEAP Grant awards can be made for the year. Students who are offered an AZ LEAP Grant must meet the same criteria as Pell Grant recipients, plus:
- Be an Arizona resident
- Have an enrollment status of half-time or more
Maricopa Grant—Student Success
Maricopa Community Colleges is dedicated to student success and has allocated funds to the Maricopa Grant—Student Success program. Applying is easy—all you need to do is complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it is important to complete the FAFSA application early. Students who are offered a Maricopa Grant must meet the same criteria as Pell grant recipients, plus the following:
- Have an enrollment status of half-time or more
- Be a Maricopa resident
- Meet income requirements
- Be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Meet HB 2008 requirements
In addition, note the following:
- The Maricopa Grant pays for up to 6 credit hours with no books
- Repeat classes will not be funded
- The Maricopa Grant may be prorated based on your enrollment credits, depending on your college’s determination
Why You Might Have to Repay a Grant
Here are some examples of why you might have to repay all or part of a grant:
- Withdrawing early from the program for which the grant was given to you
- Changing your enrollment level reduces your grant amount
- Receiving outside scholarships or grants that reduce your need