Erie Community College, State University of New York

Federal PELL Grant

The PELL Grant is a federal entitlement program awarded only to undergraduate students. Once a student has a Bachelor's Degree, he/she is no longer eligible for Pell. The amount of the award is determined by the federal appropriations available for a given year and the cost of attendance at the college, the expected family contribution (EFC), and student enrollment status. Awards range from $400 to $5,350 per year.

The student must be in attendance at the time the completed FAFSA is received by the federal processing center in order to receive payment. If selected for verification, student must submit all required documentation no later than 90 days after the student’s last day of enrollment.

Application Form: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

FSEOG is a campus-based grant program awarded to students with exceptional financial need; that is, students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Priority is given to students who receive maximum Pell.

Application Form: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Limited funds. Apply by May 1 prior to academic year for first consideration.

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program offers job opportunities to students who demonstrate financial need. Positions as reading tutors to K-5 elementary students are also available. Students in the program are paid $7.15 per hour on campus, $7.50 per hour off-campus, and may work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year; 35 hours during summer or break periods depending on need and campus allocation.

Application Form: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Limited funds. Apply by May 1 prior to academic year for first consideration.

Academic competitiveness Grant (ACG)

Beginning in 2006-07, qualifying students who have completed rigorous secondary school programs* and are eligible for federal Pell grants can receive an AC Grant for up to $750 for the first year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study.  To be eligible for the grant, each academic year, a student must:

• Be a U. S. citizen;
• Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient;
• Be enrolled full-time in a degree program;
• Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of the student’s program at a two-year degree-granting institution;
• Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005 if a second-year student);
• If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program; and
• If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average for the first academic year.

Application form:  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

* The U.S. Department of Education has recognized the NYS Regents diploma with honors or a NYS Regents diploma with advanced designation as rigorous high school programs of study for the Academic Competitiveness Grant program.