While VSAC provides many sources of student financial aid — scholarships, grants, and student loans — you may be eligible for additional aid from other sources.

While VSAC provides many sources of student financial aid — scholarships, grants, and student loans — you may be eligible for additional aid from other sources.

For information regarding additional sources of aid read on and contact your college.*

Federal Pell Grants

FSEO Grant

Academic Competitiveness Grant

SMART Grant

Federal Perkins Loans

Federal Work Study

Other Institutional Aid

GRANTS

Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. The maximum award for the 2008-2009 award year is $4,731. Actual award amounts are based on financial need, the cost of attendance, and enrollment status (full-time or part-time). Pell grants do not have to be repaid. Contact your college for more information.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
An FSEOG is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need (students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions) and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. An FSEOG does not have to be repaid. Contact your college for more information.

Academic Competitiveness Grant
The Academic Competitiveness Grant is available to:

first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006
second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005
The Academic Competitiveness Grant is available to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who successfully completed a rigorous high school program (as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education). Eligible students are awarded:

up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study
up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study (second year students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0)
The Academic Competitiveness Grant does not need to be repaid. Contact your college for more information.

SMART Grant (National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant)
The National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in:

physical, life, or computer sciences
mathematics, technology, or engineering
a foreign language determined critical to national security
Eligible students must also maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant does not need to be repaid. Contact your college for more information.

LOANS

Federal Perkins Loans
A Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest rate (5%) loan for both undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need. The college is the lender; the loan is made with government funds, with a share contributed by the college. The loan must be repaid to the college. Contact your college for more information.

OTHER

Federal Work Study
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to each student’s course of study. Contact your college for more information.

Other Institutional Aid (i.e., aid from your college)
Many colleges offer additional scholarships and/or loans for which you may qualify. Contact your college for more information.