Grants

The University of Washington offers a full range of grant opportunities for students who qualify. Over $100 million in grants were received by our undergraduates in 2008-09. Although grant assistance is not the largest source of funds available, it is important to complete the FAFSA application in case you could be eligible for the programs below.

Grants are federal, state and institutional funds awarded on the basis of need, which do not have to be repaid. Most grant programs are from limited annual allocations and award priority is determined by financial need.

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to eligible undergraduate students. This is the largest federal student grant program. Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education. Your award amount is based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) printed on the Student Aid Report (SAR), the form mailed or e-mailed directly to you after you sent your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) The federal government has created a grant program for first-year and second-year Pell Grant recipients who have completed an academically rigorous program of study in high school. To qualify for this grant you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be enrolled at least 6 credits each quarter - award amounts are prorated for less than 12 credits of enrollment.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• For a first year grant, you must have fewer than 45 cumulative credits (UW and transfer credits). Once you have 45 or more credits you are no longer eligible for a first year grant. The maximum annual grant is $750 for your first year of undergraduate study. The amount may be reduced based on your financial need and other funds awarded to you.
• For a second year grant, you must have at least 45 credits with a minimum 3.0 grade point average at the time you reached sophomore status. Once you have 90 credits, you are no longer eligible for the grant. The maximum annual grant is $1,300 for your second year of study. The amount may be reduced based on your financial need and other funds awarded to you.

Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART Grant) This federal grant program is awarded to Pell Grant recipients pursuing certain majors in math, science and foreign languages. In addition to being in a specific major, SMART grant recipients must meet the following criteria:

• You must be enrolled at least 6 credits each quarter - award amounts are prorated for less than 12 credits of enrollment.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• You must have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or higher each quarter to remain eligible for this grant.
• You must take at least one course specific to and required for a National SMART Grant-eligible major each quarter. If you are not enrolled in at least one science, language and/or math course specific to your major, we will be required to cancel your grant for the quarter. If you do not intend to enroll for and complete at least one such course in any quarter, please contact our office.
• You must have at least 90 credits and not receive more than one year (three quarters) of an award for any one grade level. This means you cannot receive more than $4000 as a junior or no more than $4000 as a senior.
• The amount of your grant may be less than the maximum based on your financial need and the other funds awarded to you.

Federal Supplemental Grants are for undergraduates with low family contributions, eligible for the Pell Grant.

State Need Grants, which come from state government revenue, are offered to undergraduate Washington residents with great financial need. Eligibility is determined using a methodology established by the state and administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Tuition Exemption and University Grants are for Washington resident undergraduate students in state-funded programs. These grants are not available to students in fee-based programs.

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides federal grants for students who teach as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. If the teaching requirement is not fulfilled, this grant converts to an unsubsidized loan you must repay. If you are in a major that leads directly to an initial teaching certificate and are interested in this program, please visit the Teach Grant site to review the details of this program.

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