Federal Grants
Grants are considered "Gift Aid" and are funded by federal and state governments, foundations, corporations, and/or non-profit organizations. Recipients are typically determined based on financial need, or in connection with a research proposal or project. The proceeds of the grant are used to help offset recipients' cost of education and/or research expenses.
Federal Pell Grant
The Pell Grant program is the largest student grant program administered by the federal government. Eligibility is limited to 12-semesters / 18-quarters (i.e., 6-years) of full- time equivalent awards for students enrolled in their initial undergraduate degree program (including eligibility for students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate Teacher Credential program). Eligibility for Pell Grant is dictated by the federal government according to a formula derived by the US Department of Education and approved by Congress. Pell Grant maximum awards for full-time students may change from year to year depending on Congressional appropriations. Students may apply for Pell Grant by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
Please be aware that full-time students may receive Pell for up to three quarters or two semesters per academic year. Therefore, if a full-time student who elects to attend an optional summer term (which is the first term of the new academic year at CSUB), and receives Pell Grant, their Pell award for the subsequent spring term will be reduced accordingly.
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students based upon their level of enrollment and Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The Federal Pell Grant is considered "portable," meaning that, for a given academic year, an eligible student would receive the same Pell Grant at any university.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG program is a federal campus-based program designed to supplement other sources of financial aid for Undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need based on FAFSA data. As a federal campus-based program, annual SEOG allocations are provided to individual universities in varying amounts, based on the school's enrollment data, and may be awarded to students at the school's discretion within the parameters of federal student aid eligibility guidelines. Therefore, SEOG fund availability, award amounts, and eligibility requirements may vary from university to university. The average award at CSUB is typically $600 because funds are not sufficient to meet the needs of all eligible students. Due to our limited allocation, we award this grant to our neediest students first, i.e., those with a $0 EFC, until funds are exhausted.
Eligibility requirements include all of the following:
- undergraduate students working on their first bachelor's degree;
- $0 EFC;
- enrolled at least half-time;
- have financial "Need"
- awarded Federal Pell Grant
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
A student who is not eligible for a Pell Grant but whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year – not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year.
Additional Student Eligibility Requirements
- Be under 24 years old; or
- Enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent's or guardian's death.
The Department of Defense will identify potentially eligible students via an ISIR Match Flag in the FAFSA data transmitted to the school. The school will determine the actual award amount.
Federal Teach Grant
The Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program was established by Congress to provide grant monies to students at participating schools who plan to become teachers. In exchange for the grant, candidates must agree to serve as full-time teachers at certain schools and within certain high-need fields for at least four academic years within eight years of completing the course of study for which a grant was received. If a grant recipient does not carry out that obligation, the TEACH grant funds they received will be convert to a Direct unsubsidized loan that must be repaid with interest retroactive to the first disbursement of the grant to the student.
Eligibility requirements include all of the following:
- Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Must be admitted and enrolled in the CSUB Teacher Credential program coursework (single or multiple subject programs)
- Cumulative GPA must be 3.25 or higher
- Must complete the CSUB Teach Grant Request Form
- Must complete the Agreement to Serve and initial Counseling requirement
- Award will be pro-rated based on enrollment
- Awards will not be disbursed until after Census Day each term when enrollment is certified.
Teach Grant Requirement to Serve
In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to serve as a full- time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, you must teach for at least four (4) academic years within eight (8) calendar years of completing the program of study for which you received a TEACH Grant.
IMPORTANT: If you fail to complete this service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants that you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education. You will be charged interest from the date the grant(s) was disbursed. Note: TEACH Grant recipients will be given a 6-month grace period prior to entering repayment if a TEACH Grant is converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
More Information
For more information on Federal Teach Grant, please click here.