Federal Pell Grant

A Pell grant is funded by the federal government and does not have to be repaid. The Pell Grant may only be awarded to undergraduate, degree-seeking students who have not already obtained a bachelor's degree. The award amount is based on a student's financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrollment status. Students' awards will be adjusted based on number of hours enrolled if less than full-time (12 hours). The U.S. Department of Education guarantees that eligible students will receive their awarded amount. Awards range from $555 to $5550. (This amount is tentative for the 2011-2012 award year.  Amounts may change pending final Federal Budgetary legislation.) The Pell Grant may be available in the Summer semester for eligible undergraduate, degree-seeking students that are Pell eligible and enrolled in at least 6 hours for the summer.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

SEOG is a grant funded by the federal government for undergraduate, degree-seeking students with exceptional financial need. The amount of SEOG funds is limited. Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants, are in good academic standing, and meet LOC's priority deadline. A SEOG grant does not have to be repaid. The average SEOG award is $600 per academic year. There is no guarantee that every eligible student will be able to receive a SEOG award.

Tennessee State Assistance Award (TSAA)

The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) provides a need-based grant program for undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, meet Tennessee residency requirements for state student aid, be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and meet TSAC's need requirements based on the FAFSA. Awards vary based on need and enrollment status. Funds are awarded on a "first-come-first-serve" basis.

Academic Competitiveness Grant
** No funding for this program after the 2010-2011 school year.**

The Academic Competitiveness Grant was made available for the first time for the 2006-2007 school years for first year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

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 to students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, and who had 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 maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. For more information about Academic Competitiveness Grant eligibility, students are encouraged to visit the AC Grant site at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/AcademicGrants.jsp

NOTE: The Records Office manually reviews each student’s transcript to determine the successful completion of a rigorous high school program. Therefore, it may be September or October before freshmen ACG awards are applied to students’ accounts.

Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant
** No funding for this program after the 2010-2011 school year.**

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. A National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study.  The student must also be enrolled in the courses necessary to complete the degree program and to fulfill the requirements of the intended eligible major in addition to maintaining 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.

Click below for a list of eligible fields of study
http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/CompleteListEligibleMajors0708SMART.pdf