Grants

Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources might be added.

The maximum Pell Grant award varies from year to year. For the 2018-19 award year (July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019) the maximum Pell award is $6,095. The actual amount you get, though, will depend not only on your financial need (which can change based on your FAFSA each year), but also on your costs to attend school, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

The maximum award amount is given for any Pell Grant eligible student whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept.11, 2001. You must be under 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time in college at the time of your parent's or guardian's death.

Beginning with the 2012-2013 year, students are limited to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters (or 6 years) of Pell Grant funding. This US Department of Education policy includes all prior awards and students cannot appeal the termination of eligibility. You can log into www.nslds.ed.gov to review your total Pell Grants used.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 award year, an eligible student may receive up to 150 percent of his or her scheduled Pell Grant award for an award year. If you receive your annual full-time Pell for fall and spring, and attend and earn at least 6 hours during summer, you may be eligible for an additional Pell award. This is referred to as "Year-round Pell." It is important to note that this does count against your lifetime eligibility limit for this program.

For more information on the Federal Pell Grant Program, go to www.studentaid.ed.gov.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

This federal grant is extremely limited in funding and therefore is only awarded to students who are eligible for the maximum Pell Grant. Typically, students who meet the November 1 priority deadline for filing the FAFSA each year are considered. However, due to funding, it may not be possible to fund all students who meet the priority deadline - please file the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 each year and be sure to follow up with Lander University's Financial Aid Office immediately if additional information is requested.

A state-funded grant program open to South Carolina residents who are first-time undergraduate students with demonstrated need. They must be enrolled at least half time in a degree-granting program and maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Students should apply for financial assistance by November 1 to be considered for the next academic year.

Annual Limits: Money is awarded on the basis of the lowest expected family contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA each year.

Visit www.che.sc.gov for complete details regarding this program. To qualify, an applicant must be in good standing with the active National Guard at the beginning of each academic year and remain a member in good standing with the active National Guard throughout the entire academic year for which benefits are payable. Applicant must have valid tuition and fee expenses from an eligible institution and maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident who meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen under State Residency statutes. Applicant must be admitted; enrolled and classified as a degree-seeking, full-time or part-time student at an eligible institution in South Carolina; and satisfy additional eligibility requirements as may be promulgated by the Commission.

Annual Limits: $4,500 per year maximum is awarded per student.