Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
TEACH Grant
Tennessee Student Assistance Award
Federal and State Grants Overview
Undergraduates
Help, in the form of grants and scholarships, is available from both the federal and state governments to help qualified undergraduate students realize their dream of a college education. Federal grants include the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) which are based on financial need, as well as the Federal TEACH Grant. 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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to establish their eligibility for need based aid.
Graduates
The Federal TEACH Grant is also available to graduate students in the Master of Education and Master of Arts in Education programs.
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 Financial Assistance.
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.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Students who qualify for the Pell Grant may also be eligible for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant funds (SEOG). This is additional grant money reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Due to limited SEOG funds, students completing the FAFSA by February 15 with an EFC of zero (0) will be given priority.
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 will automatically be considered for the Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) if you file the FAFSA before March 1. If tax returns are not completed in time, you may use estimated tax figures. Be sure to list Union University, code 003528, as your first choice school on the FAFSA.
