financial aid

Grants

 

Federal Pell Grant (FPELL)

The largest federal need-based student aid program providing grant assistance ranging from $976 to $5,350 .The Pell grant is a federally funded program. Eligibility requires that an applicant has not received a bachelor’s or professional degree and is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and demonstrates financial need. The amount of the award is based on prior calendar year income and asset information provided on the FAFSA.

 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG is a federally funded program. The purpose of this grant is to provide additional aid to students who exhibit exceptional financial need. To become eligible, the student must file the FAFSA and have a valid Student Aid Report (SAR) on file indicating eligibility for a Federal Pell grant. The amount awarded to recipients depends on financial need, the amount of other aid received, and the availability of funds at East-West University.

 

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Monetary Award Program (MAP)

This program is administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and assists Illinois residents who attend an approved Illinois college. Awards are based on information reported on the Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). ISAC rules limit eligibility to dependent students whose parents are Illinois residents and to self-supporting or independent students who have resided in Illinois for 12 continuous months prior to September 1 of the award year for which the grant is made. Students who have used a total of 75 map credit units without obtaining a junior academic level will not be eligible for the MAP grant until he/she reaches a junior academic level. Maximum Award $4,968

 

Illinois Student Assistance Commission Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA)

The purpose of the Illinois Incentive for Access Program is to improve access and retention of students who have a limited ability to pay for college, and possibly to reduce the amount borrowed by these students. IIA provides a one-time grant of up to $500 divided in two disbursements of $250 each. The IIA grant is awarded to freshman students who have a zero (0) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated by the Federal government based on the information in a student’s FAFSA. Students must be eligible for the Monetary Award Program.

 

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S citizens or permanent resident and eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. First-year students must have graduated high school after Jan. 1, 2006 and second-year recipients must have graduated high school after Jan. 1, 2005.

 

If you can answer YES to all of the following questions, you may potentially be eligible to receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant.

 

1. Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?

2. Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?

3. Will you be enrolled as a full-time first or second year student in a two-year or four-year degree program?

 

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National Smart Grant)

A 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 U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award. To be eligible to receive a National SMART Grant, you must be able to answer YES to all of the following questions:

1. Are you a US citizen or permanent resident?

2. Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?

3. Are you enrolled as a full-time third or fourth year student in a baccalaureate degree program? 4. Do you have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average?

5. Are you currently enrolled in an eligible major in one of the following categories: Computer Science, Engineering, Critical Foreign Languages, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Technology, or Multidisciplinary Studies? (Please click below to view complete list of eligible majors).

 

Federal Work Study Program

The FWSP provides salaries for jobs for the students with demonstrated financial need, who maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students awarded FWSP funds can earn money to help pay education expenses. Students can work either on- or off-campus. Off-campus jobs will be with private, non-profit organizations or public agencies that encourage community service work. Students are paid by the hour and receive a paycheck every other week. FWS students are not permitted to work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year and cannot work during their scheduled class times. Students apply for FWS by filing out the FAFSA.