Everything You Need to Know About Grants

A number of grants are made available to ease the cost of your college education. This form of funding does not need to be repaid by you or your family, so be sure to check all the information below to see if you are eligible.

Federal Pell Grants

This grant is awarded to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. To be eligible for this award, the recipient must demonstrate exceptional financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This award is a need-based award.

The size of the award for 2018-2019 can range from $305 to $6095, depending on the students Expected Family Contribultions and the amount of credit hours taken.

Students are automatically considered for the award by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Pell Grants typically apply to full-time enrollment during fall and spring semesters each year. If the student did not attend full-time both semesters after the first week, then the student will have the difference of their Pell Grant funds to use for summer. An example would be if a student was taking 9 credit hours fall semester and 9 credit hours spring, then the student would be able to use the additional amount for summer. Any Pell Grant funds left over at the end of the summer are lost.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to students that show exceptional need through their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Not all students that receive Pell Grant will be eligible for this award. Funding is limited. This is not a guaranteed award.

Federal SEOG go to most students with an Expected Family Contribution of 0. You would also need to be receiving the Federal Pell Grant. The amount of the award varies from year to year.

Students who fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the Indiana State Deadline and receive the Federal Pell grant will automatically be considered for the award.

Frank O'Bannon Grant for Indiana Residents

The Frank O'Bannon Grant is given to Indiana residents that show financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who meet the grant eligibility requirements and submit their FAFSA by the Indiana State deadline are automatically considered for the award.

Students enrolled part-time can receive assistance for their courses through this program. These amounts are automatically posted on eligible students' accounts around the mid-point of the semester. There is limited funding for part-time students, so not all eligible students receive an award.

Child of Certain Veterans and Public Safety Officers (CVO) Supplemental Grant

CVO Grants are given to children of a disabled Indiana veteran or public safety officer killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. View the eligibility criteria.

Recipients must submit a completed Indiana CVO Application form from the State of Indiana.
Be an Indiana Resident
Be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour.

The CVO Grant covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for up to 124 credit hours for a student. This grant does not cover distance education fees. The difference in tuition must be covered by the student or other aid.

Students who have not reached their 124 credit hour limit, may use their award for a second bachelors at the same benefit as the first, or may use it towards a graduate degree. This grant will only pay the undergraduate tuition and mandatory fee rate, but graduate tuition and mandatory fees are higher. The additional cost would be need to be covered by the student or other aid.

In order to apply, the student must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file, along with a Certified Indiana CVO Application form.

Students are able to take as many summer classes as they please up to their 124 credit hour limit.

Transfer students can use their CVO benefits at Purdue Fort Wayne, but must supply a new Indiana CVO Application form that has been certified to the Financial Aid Office. Once, we have received all of this information, the student's grant benefits will be posted to their accounts.

National Guard Supplemental Grant

For most recent information please visit:

CHE: National Guard Tuition Supplement Grant (in.gov)

National Guard Supplemental Grant (NGSG)

This grant is for eligible State of Indiana members of the Indiana Air and Army National Guard. Students must be certified by the Indiana National Guard (ING). This would start at the unit command level and then proceed to the headquarters or airbase education offices for final approval before start of classes.

Certification must be done for each term of enrollment

Must be in active drilling status.(The unit commander is the sole determiner of this status for each term.)
The student cannot be AWOL at any time during the 12 months prior to their enrollment in college for any academic term.
Can only be used for fall and spring semester, not summer.
Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours.

Students must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file by March 10th and have any corrections made by May 15th. Students can start the process by talking with their unit commander. To be eligible an applicant must be certified by both SSACI and Indiana National Guard. Specific questions about tuition and financial aid, the student should contact the Financial Aid Office.