Grants

Grants are considered "gift aid" and do not have to be repaid. Typically only the neediest of students receive grants.
Complete List of all Grants

Pell Grant
The U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula to determine a students financial eligibility, otherwise known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your SAR contains this number, in the upper right portion of page 1. This number will determine if you are eligible for a Pell Grant and for how much. Awards are prorated for students enrolling less than full time.

Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. (A professional degree is usually earned after earning a bachelor's degree in a field such as medicine, law, or dentistry.) In some cases, you might receive a Pell Grant for attending a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Federal need-based grant for families with EFC's between 1-1000. The maximum award is $1,000. (Funds are limited.)

TEACH Grant
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a high need field in a low income school.

     - Federal TEACH Information
     - UNI TEACH Information

ACG Grant
The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is awarded to freshmen ($750/year) and sophomores ($1300/year) that also qualified for the Pell Grant. Eligible students must also be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, be a new graduate from high school, and have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive ACG.

• Sophomores must have a 3.0 GPA or above and continued Pell eligibility to receive ACG for a second year.
  

SMART Grant
The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants is a $4000/year award available to juniors and seniors that also qualify for Pell Grants and major in physical, life, or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology or a critical foreign language. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.

State Grants

Iowa Grant
The Iowa Grant program is a statewide need-based program to assist high-need Iowa residents. Recipients must demonstrate a high level of financial need to receive awards ranging from $100-$1000. Awards are prorated for students enrolling less than full time. In the event that available state funds are insufficient to pay the full amount of each approved grant, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission has the authority to administratively reduce the award. (Funds are limited.)

IMAGES
IMAGES is available for four years for new graduate from an Iowa high school and two years for transfer students with awards ranging up to $2000. To be eligible, recipients must demonstrate financial aid as determined on the FAFSA, be of ethnic status, and be a resident of Iowa. (Funds are limited.)

All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship
The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship is available for one year only. Recipients must demonstrate financial need as determined on the FAFSA with a High School GPA of 2.5 or above. Students must complete an application through the Iowa College Student Aid Commission at www.iowacollegeaid.gov/commissioncentral/schgrants/sch.html. Priority given to participants in the federal TRIO Programs, applicants who graduated from alternative high schools/programs or homeless youth. (Funds are limited.)

All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant
The All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant awards up to full cost of attendance after other state, federal and college/institutional funding. Recipients must complete FAFSA, and have been in foster care.

Tuition Assistance Grant
Institutional need-based grant for families with EFC's between 0-6500. The maximum award is $1,000. Graduate students must have a 0 EFC to qualify. (Funds are limited.)

Tuition Guarantee Program for Iowans
The Tuition Guarantee Program for Iowans is a four year commitment of full tuition and fees provided through a combination of federal, state and institutional grants and scholarships. Recipients must have an EFC of 1000 or less throughout the 4 years for continued eligibility, be a resident of Iowa, and a new graduate from an Iowa high school.

Tuition Guarantee Program for Multicultural Community College Iowans
Tuition Guarantee Program for Multicultural Community College Iowans is a two-year commitment of full tuition and fees provided through a combination of federal, state and institutional grants and scholarships. Recipients must be an Iowa resident, recipient of AA degree from an Iowa Community College, and have an EFC as determined on the FAFSA of 4617 or less through two years for continued eligibility.