The Federal Student Aid office (FSA) is a key organization in funding the countries postsecondary community. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used to apply for federal loans, grants, and a number of state or school based programs. Grants are of particular interest to many students, as they do not require repayment. Federal grants available through the FSA and considered with the submission of the FAFSA include:Pell GrantThe Pell Grant is awarded to low income undergraduate students. The award amount is based on the expected family contributions determined by the FAFSA, tuition costs, full or part time attendance, and length of attendance for the year. The maximum awarded to an eligible student is $5550.Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity GrantThe FSEOG is a campus-based program that provides additional educational funds to Pell recipients with the greatest of financial needs. FAFSA applicants with the lowest expected family contributions are considered for this grant first. Recipients of the FSEOG are awarded anywhere from $100 to $4000.Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education GrantThe TEACH grant is not need based, but instead awards funds to those who agree to teach a minimum of four years in a high need field. To be eligible for this grant a student must complete a FAFSA, be a U.S. citizen, be enrolled in a college that participates with the TEACH program, be enrolled or plan to take appropriate class work, maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA, and sign a TEACH grant agreement to serve. Awards can be up to $4000 a year.Iraq and Afghanistan Service GrantThis grant is awarded to students whose parent died while serving in the military after September 11, 2001. To be eligible for this grant, the student must not qualify for the Pell grant, be under the age of 24, and been enrolled in college at the time of the parents death.More information on the Federal Student Aid office and all it has to offer to new and continuing students, including in-depth information on grant and loan processes, as well as the FAFSA application, can be found at
http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/.