Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Academic Competitiveness Grant
National SMART Grant
TEACH Grant
Tennessee Student Assistance Award
Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarships
Other State Awards
Undergraduate Grants
Federal and State Grants and Scholarships Overview
Help, in the form of grants and scholarships, is available from both the federal and state governments to help qualified students realize their dream of a college education. Federal grants include the Federal Pell Grant and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) which are based on the student's financial need as determined by the FAFSA results. In addition states may have scholarship programs you may apply for. Scholarships and Grants are funds that do not have to be paid back. All students should file the FAFSA to establish their eligibility for need based aid, as well as contact their state Department of Education to inquire about state grants and scholarships.
Any questions you have regarding federal or state grants or scholarships may be directed to Heather Higdon, Grant Coordinator, at (731) 661-6574, or hhigdon@uu.edu.
To apply for any of the following, all students must file the FAFSA. Follow the appropriate steps in How to Apply for Scholarships and Financial Assistance.
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a federal grant that is awarded based on a student's calculated EFC on the FAFSA. This award is given to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The maximum amount a student can receive is $4,731. Grants do not have to be repaid.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Students who are eligible for Pell Grant may also be eligible to receive the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), which has limited funding. SEOG is awarded to Pell Grant recipients who demonstrate the greatest need. Because Union’s SEOG funding is limited, students who have completed the FAFSA by Feb. 15th with an EFC of 0 will be given priority.
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. Students must be full-time, be U.S citizens, be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and have 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. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.
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.
TEACH Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program, created by Congress through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. If a student fails to complete the teaching requirement, the grant will convert into an Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan. Recipients of the TEACH Grant MUST complete TEACH Counseling and an Agreement to Serve. Go to www.mapping-your-future.org to complete the Entrance Counseling and to www.teach-ats.ed.gov to complete an Agreement to Serve. Please visit www.teachgrant.ed.gov for additional information. For More Detailed Information
Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
Tennessee residents who qualify for Federal Pell Grant may be eligible for a Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Students who are eligible for TSAA could receive up to $4,644. Awards vary based on the EFC and the date of filing the FAFSA. To be considered for the maximum award, a student should file the FAFSA prior to February 15.
Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship Program (TELS)
Tennessee residents who qualify based on the academic criteria established by the state of Tennessee may be eligible for the Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship Program. Students wishing to be considered for any TELS funds must complete the FAFSA by the published state deadline of September 1.
Other State Awards
Contact your state's Department of Education to inquire about other awards your state offers. Tennessee students may contact the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation online or call 1-800-342-1663.
