Grants Based on Financial Need

The Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant are the two largest student financial aid grant programs based on financial need. Both are funded by federal tax dollars and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, the federal government offers matching funds to state governments that provide need-based grants through the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) program. The State of Georgia actively participates in the LEAP program.

Financial need is defined as the difference between a student's cost of attendance minus the expected family contribution. The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, meals, transportation, and personal expenses. The expected family contribution is the amount a student and his or her family is expected to pay. This amount, based primarily on a family's income and assets, is determined after the student completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Grants Based on Financial Need:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)
• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
• Federal Work-Study (FWS)
• National Science and Math Access to Retain Talent (SMART)