There are a number of federal financial aid programs available through the U.S. Department of Education, including federal student loans, federal grants, and federal work study programs.
This article reviews some of the grant options available for social work education students, and details how to apply for federal grant money.
How to Apply for Social Work Education & Social Work Online Degree Grants
This article details in the following sections a number of federal student grants available to social work students, including online students enrolled at participating schools.
To apply for any of the federal grants detailed below, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form measures a student's finances (as well as those of a dependent's parents or guardians) in order to calculate a student's need for financial aid. Students should be aware that the FAFSA requires tax information for both dependent students and their parents, as the federal government only awards student grants to those who show a definite financial need.
Once the FAFSA has been turned in, students will receive in the mail a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR lets a student know if he/she is eligible to receive federal student aid, and details exactly to which programs a student has been granted access.
The FASFA is required for any student seeking federal student grants, federal student loans, or a federal work study program, and the form can be accessed via the U.S. Department of Education's website (or through affiliate links).
Pell Grants for Social Work Education & Social Work Online Degrees
Pell Grants, which are the bedrock of the federal student grant program, are available to social work undergraduate students who are able to demonstrate to the federal government a legitimate financial need on their FAFSA application; award amounts are determined by this level of need.
While award amounts can be as high as $5,000, the money awarded typically ranges between $1,000 and $4,000 per year.
FSEOG Grants for Social Work Education & Social Work Online Degrees
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is specifically designed for those students who have an extreme financial need which exceeds the requirements for Pell Grant eligibility.
Social work students who meet the criteria are eligible, and award amounts are typically between $500 and $4,000, depending on a student's cost of attendance. Those who receive an FSEOG Grant are also eligible to for Pell Grant funding.
ACG Grants for Social Work Education & Social Work Online Degrees
The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is specifically designed for students who went through a very rigorous high school program of study. (The U.S. Department of Education determines which schools qualify as being rigorous.)
This grant is available for those students who are either in their first or second year at an eligible undergraduate program, and social work students who meet the above criteria qualify as well. Those awarded an ACG Grant can also have Pell Grant eligibility.
Benefits of Social Work Education & Social Work Online Degree Federal Grants
Students who receive a federal student grant never have to repay any of the awarded money, so long as they are not in default on a federal loan and maintain acceptable grades at their host school.
Social work students who receive federal student grant money are able to defray the costs of admission, and hold down the burdensome student debts that many students accumulate.
For more information, see the Federal Student Aid guide to funding, from which the information for this article was gleaned.
For information on advanced social work programs, see also:
Online Social Work Degree – MSW Programs
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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