Early FAFSA/ Renewal FAFSA filing is strongly encouraged. To insure consideration for programs with limited funding, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)/Renewal FAFSA between January 1 and April 1.

• Student Eligibility for Federal Student Aid Programs
• Federal Pell Grant
• Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program (FSAG)
• Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program  
• Florida Resident Access Grant Program
• Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund
• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
• Scholarships For Children And Spouses Of Deceased Or Disabled Veterans And Servicemembers

Student Eligibility for Federal Student Aid Programs

To receive aid from one or more of these federal student aid programs, the student must:

• Demonstrate FAFSA financial need, except in the case of some loan programs.
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate, or meet other established state standards approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Have a valid Social Security Number.
• Make satisfactory academic progress.
• Sign a statement on the FAFSA, certifying that you will use federal student aid only for educational purposes.
• Sign a statement on the FAFSA certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and that you do not owe money back on a federal student grant.
• Register with the Selective Service, if required.

When you apply for aid from the federal student aid programs, the U.S. Department of Education verifies some of your information with the following agencies.

• Social Security Administration (for verification of Social Security Numbers and U.S. citizenship status).
• Selective Service System (for verification of Selective Service registration status. If applicable.)
• Immigration and Naturalization Service (for verification of eligible non-citizenship status, if applicable).
• Department of Justice ( for verification that a student has not been denied Federal Student aid by the courts as result of a drug related conviction).
• Veterans' Administration (for verification of veteran's status, for dependency status determination).

Federal Pell Grant

The federal Pell Grant is a need-based program that awards funds to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a Bachelor's degree. The maximum amount awarded annually for the 2012-2013 academic year is $5,550. The minimum amount is $603. the grant amount is based upon the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), enrollment status, and attendance for the year. Students with an EFC of $5000 or less may be eligible for Pell.  In the event student(s) do not complete or earn any credit for attempted hours in the term for which eligibility applies, a Return of Title IV Funds will be calculated and the funds for which the student is ineligible will be returned to the Department of Education (DOE). The student will bear the responsibility of final payment for any outstanding balance for the term to the AMU Business Office.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG is a grant for students with exceptional financial need. In order to qualify, students must qualify for a Pell Grant. Unlike Pell funding, which is guaranteed to students who meet the application dead lines and other criteria, FSEOG funding is limited, and awards are made as funds are available, with priority given to those students with the lowest EFC's who applied by the priority deadline.

Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant  (FSAG)

The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Program is a need-based grant program available to degree-seeking, resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need and are enrolled in participating postsecondary institutions.  FSAG is a decentralized state of Florida program, which means that each participating institution determines application procedures, deadlines, student eligibility, and award amount.  The FSAG awards provided to students in the Public, Private, and Postsecondary sectors includes federal Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) and Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP) funds.

The Talented Twenty Program rewards high school students graduating in the top 20 percent of each senior class by guaranteeing them admission to one of the eleven state universities in Florida and by providing priority funding for the FSAG Public program, if eligible. The FSAG program is a need-based grant; therefore, Talented Twenty students must meet FSAG eligibility requirements in order to receive priority funding. Additional information regarding the Talented Twenty Program is available on the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) Web site.

For further information contact the financial aid office at eligible participating postsecondary institutions or the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, State Scholarship and Grant Programs, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.             http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/FSAG.htm

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes three lottery-funded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is comprised of the following three awards:

• Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award including Academic Top Scholars (ATS) award
• Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award
• Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) award

Initial Eligibility Requirements to Receive Funding:

• Students are now required to submit a complete, error-free FAFSA for Bright Futures and Florida Resident Access Grant initial and renewal eligibility any time prior to disbursement.
• Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. A student’s residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution. Questions regarding such status should be directed to the financial aid office or admissions office of the institution the student plans to attend.
• Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
• Meet specific coursework and minimum grade point average (GPA) and test score requirements which are outlined on the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) websitewww.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ .
• ATS - The Academic Top Scholars award, announced by the Florida Department of Education before the end of the fall term after all term one disbursements are reported, is awarded to the Florida Academic Scholar with the highest academic ranking in each county (based on the product of multiplying the Bright Futures GPA and the highest qualifying SAT/ACT test score). The recipient receives a cost per credit hour award established by the Florida Legislature in the General Appropriations Act in addition to the Florida Academic Scholars award. For current year award amounts visit: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/awardamt.htm

Applying for Initial Eligibility:

• Submit a fully completed error free Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application during the last year in high school (after December 1 and prior to graduation) available online at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org (select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, thenApply Here). The application gives the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) permission to evaluate the student’s high school transcript and standardized test scores for eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship and other state scholarships and grants.
• Apply during the last year in high school, before graduation, or forfeit all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship.

Student Award Renewal:

• A student who receives funding during the current academic year (fall through spring) is automatically evaluated for renewal at the end of the spring term. Renewal institutional cumulative grade point average (GPA) and completed hours requirements are outlined in the table below.
• The postsecondary institution where a student is enrolled as degree- or certificate-seeking is the home postsecondary institution. That postsecondary institution determines the courses to be included in each student’s renewal postsecondary institutional cumulative GPA.
• A student may request that a financial aid officer at the home postsecondary institution use high school dual enrollment courses, if these courses are to the student's advantage, when calculating the renewal postsecondary institutional cumulative GPA.

Bright Futures Renewal Requirements:

• A student must reimburse the postsecondary institution for the cost of course(s) dropped or withdrawn after the initial drop/add period. Non-refunded hours will affect the student's renewal eligibility.
• Summer grades and hours earned after spring evaluation may be used if necessary to meet the scholarship renewal requirements. A student must ask a financial aid officer at the home postsecondary institution (that reported spring renewal grade and hours) to submit a grade and hours update to the Bright Futures office indicating the adjusted postsecondary institutional cumulative GPA and/or hours.
• A student who earns the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award or Gold Seal Vocational (GSV) award in high school may not renew to the Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award because initial eligibility for the award was based on high school academic accomplishments.
• Academic Top Scholars renewal eligibility is based on the FAS annual renewal requirement. Renewal of the FAS will also earn renewal of the ATS.
• A student may choose to enroll and receive Bright Futures funding for only one term during the academic year. Renewal criteria will include completion of a minimum of 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) per term funded for a full-time student or prorated for a part-time student and the minimum institutional cumulative GPA requirement.
• Bright Futures awards are funded by the Florida Lottery and administered by the FDOE. These scholarship funds are sent to postsecondary institutions and then applied to a student’s account after the last day of the drop/add period.
• Bright Futures funding is disbursed for fall through spring terms. Funds are not available for summer awards.
• Bright Futures Scholarship recipients who graduate with a baccalaureate degree in the 2010-11 academic year or after and in seven semesters or fewer (or the equivalent in credit hours) and wish to pursue graduate study, may apply the unused portion of their FAS or FMS award toward one semester of graduate study, not to exceed 15 semester hours paid at the undergraduate rate.

Terms of Eligibility:

• 2008-09 high school graduates and earlier - Scholarship Length
• 2009-10 high school graduates - Scholarship Length
• 2010-11 high school graduates and thereafter - Scholarship Length

For further information contact the financial aid office at eligible participating postsecondary institutions or the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, State Scholarship and Grant Programs, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1314, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.    http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/BF.htm

Florida Resident Access Grant Program (FRAG)

 The William L. Boyd, IV, Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) Program provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate students attending an eligible private, non-profit Florida college or university.  FRAG is a decentralized state of Florida program, which means that each participating institution determines application procedures, deadlines, and student eligibility.

Initial Eligibility Requirements to Receive Funding

• Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.  A student’s residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution. Questions regarding such status should be directed to the financial aid office or admissions office of the institution the student plans to attend.
• Not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
• Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree.
• Enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours per term at an eligible Florida college or university in a baccalaureate degree program.
• Meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid.
• Not be enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree in theology or divinity.

Applying for an Award

• The student will meet the application procedures established by the participating institution.  Applications may be obtained at the financial aid offices of eligible Florida colleges and universities.
• NEW - Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), complete and error free.  Visit the website at www.fafsa.ed.gov for online processing.

Renewal

• A renewal applicant must have earned a minimum institutional cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and earned the equivalent of 12 credit hours for each term an award was received during the academic year.
• Eligibility is determined at the end of the second semester or third quarter of each academic year.  Credit hours earned during the previous summer may be counted toward the total number of credit hours required.
• A student should consult the postsecondary institution for additional renewal requirements which are established by the institution.
• If a student does not meet the minimum institutional cumulative GPA, a probationary award may be granted for two semesters or three quarters.
• To be eligible for renewal the following year after probation, the student must have earned the required credits and institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Failure to Meet the Minimum Renewal Credit Hours

• A student who does not meet the annual minimum of 12 hours per semester (or equivalent) requirement for renewal (for one or both semesters), may not receive funding the following academic year.
• To be eligible for funding in a subsequent year, the student must apply for restoration and meet the general eligibility requirements for restoration and have earned an institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Student Award Restoration

• A student may be eligible for restoration if an institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale is earned at the end of the second semester or third quarter of the academic year for which the student was ineligible.
• The student may apply for restoration with the postsecondary institution after two semesters or three quarters.

Student Award Reinstatement
A student who met the requirements for a renewal award, but did not receive an award during a full year of eligibility and wishes to reestablish use of the grant, may apply for reinstatement with the postsecondary institution in a subsequent year provided the student has earned an institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale as of the end of the second semester or third quarter of the academic year preceding the year the award is sought.

Award Procedures

• The postsecondary institution will determine applicant eligibility.
• The annual award amount for the 2011-12 academic year is $2,149.  For students attending Keiser University, the annual award amount is $803.
• The amount of the FRAG award plus all other scholarships and grants specifically designated for payment of tuition and fees cannot exceed the total amount of tuition and fees charged by the institution.  The college or university will adjust the amount of the FRAG award to conform to this maximum.
• The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) forwards award funding to participating postsecondary institutions.  Each postsecondary institution distributes awards to eligible students. 
• A student is eligible to receive an award for a maximum of 9 semesters or 14 quarters.
• Undergraduate students participating in college-preparatory instruction, students requiring additional time to complete the college-level communication and computation skills testing programs (CLAST), or students enrolled in a 5-year undergraduate degree program are eligible to receive financial aid for a maximum of 10 semesters or 15 quarters.  Five-year eligibility does not extend to a program of study which leads to the simultaneous award of a graduate and undergraduate degree.
• Unused terms may not be used for further course funding after a student earns a baccalaureate degree.
• An applicant who believes financial aid has been wrongly denied has certain rights to appeal.  If aid is denied for failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, an applicant may appeal the denial to the institution by providing proof of illness or other emergency beyond the applicant's control.  An institutional academic progress appeal is to be filed in writing within 30 days of the denial letter or by the date established by the institution's financial aid office, whichever is later.
  
  Use of an Applicant’s Social Security Number/Non-discrimination Statement
  The Privacy Act of 1974 requires state agencies to inform applicants of the reasons for requesting their Social Security numbers (SSN).  The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) requests an SSN on all applications for student financial assistance in order to correctly identify applicants, match each applicant's financial aid record with the student record at the postsecondary institution the applicant attends, and help coordinate state student aid programs with federal student aid programs.
  
  An applicant will not be denied financial assistance for failure to disclose the SSN.  Without an SSN, correct identification of an applicant's record cannot be assured and may result in an error or a delay in the disbursement of an award.
  
  Pursuant to Section 1001.05, Florida Statutes, state student financial assistance is provided to eligible applicants without discriminating on the basis of ethnicity, gender, national origin, marital status, or handicap.  Minority status will be considered when required by law as a condition of eligibility or selection.
  
  For further information contact the financial aid office at eligible participating postsecondary institutions or the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, State Scholarship and Grant Programs, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1314, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.  http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/factsheets/FRAG.htm

Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund

The José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund is a need-based merit scholarship that provides financial assistance to eligible students of Hispanic origin who will attend Florida public or eligible private institutions. Applicants for undergraduate study must apply during their senior year of high school. Graduate students may apply, but priority for the scholarships is given to graduating high school seniors. The number of new awards made each year is subject to contributions from private sources and funds appropriated by the Florida Legislature.

For further information contact the financial aid office at eligible participating postsecondary institutions or the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, State Scholarship and Grant Programs, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400. Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.    http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/JoseMarti.htm

Scholarships For Children And Spouses Of Deceased Or Disabled Veterans And Servicemembers

The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans and Servicemembers (CSDDV) provides scholarships for dependent children or unremarried spouses of Florida veterans or servicemembers who died as a result of service-connected injuries, diseases, or disabilities sustained while on active duty or who have been verified by the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs as having service-connected 100% permanent and total disabilities. CSDDV also provides funds for dependent children whose parent is classified as a prisoner of war or missing in action by the Armed Forces of the United States or as civilian personnel captured while serving with the consent or authorization of the United States Government during wartime service. CSDDV provides funds for tuition and registration fees at an eligible public postsecondary institution or the equivalent at an eligible private postsecondary institution.

 For further information, please go to http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/CDDV.htm