By Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University. Full Bio

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Reviewed by Annie Trout

Annie has spent the past 18+ years educating students about college admissions opportunities and coaching them through building a financial aid package. She has worked in college access and college admissions for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission/Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, Middle Tennessee State University, and Austin Peay State University.

Updated: April 5th, 2022

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, or Federal SEOG awards, are financial grants that help students with financial need pay for college. These grants do not need to be repaid so they are very valuable financial aid options for students. In this guide we’ll talk about the following:

• What are Federal Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) Awards?
• Who is eligible for FSEOG Awards?
• How much money could I be granted?
• Can I qualify for both a Pell Grant and a FSEOG Grant?

Keep on reading to learn more about how you can apply for and secure an SEOG grant!

Don’t miss: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

What are Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) awards?

FSEOG Grants are Federal funds provided to individual colleges and universities to distribute among eligible students. Unlike the Pell Grant, which is available to every student who qualifies, colleges only receive a set amount of FSEOG funds. This means some high-need students may not receive the grant. Not all colleges offer the FSEOG so check with your college’s financial aid office to see if the grant is available.

Who is eligible for FSEOG awards?

Assuming that your college offers the Federal SEOG Award, you will have to be eligible according to your demonstrated financial need. Your demonstrated need is assessed by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.

This means that you must apply for financial aid using the FAFSA to be eligible for FSEOG awards. Students can only use these awards for an undergraduate degree and can’t have previously received a bachelor’s degree.

Remember, the FAFSA opens up on October 1st of each year and you need to renew it each year you are in college.

Recommended: How to complete the FAFSA (a step-by-step guide)

How much money could I get?

Students who are eligible for Federal SEOG grants can receive between $100 and $4,000 per year. 

The amount of money awarded  depends on your financial need, but also can depend on when you apply, other financial aid, and the availability of aid at your college or university.

Remember, your college has a limited amount of FSEOG grants and will begin awarding qualified students when their FAFSA information is received. You should complete your FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible if you think you might be eligible for FSEOG or other first-come, first-served financial aid programs.

Use the need-based financial aid calculator

Applicants who are interested in need-based financial aid can receive an estimate of need-based aid (and in some cases merit scholarships) through the Net Price Calculator. This is a free tool that every college must have on their website. It will provide an estimate of financial aid.

Don’t miss: How to write a financial aid appeal letter

Can I qualify for both a Pell Grant and a FSEOG Grant?

Yes! You might qualify for both of these need-based grants. While the FSEOG Grant is awarded by individual educational institutions, the Pell Grant is awarded by the Federal Government. Both types of grants are dependent on your financial need as assessed by the FAFSA, so it is imperative that students complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. 

Some colleges require that students complete the CSS Profile, an additional financial aid application. The CSS Profile may help determine your eligibility for financial aid opportunities offered by the colleges that require it. Make sure you complete the CSS Profile if required! 

Key next steps for students

• Check with your college’s financial aid office to see if they can offer the Federal SEOG Grant.
• Complete the FAFSA by the FAFSA Deadline. Even if your school doesn’t offer the FSEOG Grant, the FAFSA will allow you to access other financial aid.

Frequently asked questions

Are Federal SEOG Grants taxable?

Federal SEOG Grant funds are not taxable; they will not count as taxable income for the student.

How much is the Federal SEOG grant?

The Federal SEOG Grant can range anywhere between $100 and $4,000 per year. The amount depends on a variety of factors, including the student’s financial situation, the institution’s rules, and when the student submitted their FAFSA.

What can SEOG Grant be used for?

Students can sue SEOG Grant funds for tuition and other education-related expenses, including housing expenses and fees.