Types of Aid
There are four basic types of financial aid; scholarships, grants, loan and Federal Work Study. Also on this page you will find information on our campus-based financial aid programs.

NOTE: The priority processing deadline for application for the Kent State Student Financial Aid Office is March 1.
Campus-based Programs
Campus-based Programs
Some of the federal financial aid programs available to students are called campus-based programs. These programs are unique in that the federal government gives Kent State University a certain allocation of funds for the programs each academic year. Kent State University then distributes, or awards, these funds to students based on financial need, priority processing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, and availability of funds. The following are campus-based programs:

The Student Financial Aid Office has a priority processing deadline for the FAFSA of March 1st each academic year. Eligible students who have their FAFSA processed by the government by March 1 will most likely receive funding for these programs. However, filing on time does not guarantee that a student will receive these funds.


Scholarships
Kent State University offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students enrolled at the Kent Campus and the Regional Campuses. Scholarship awards are based on a variety of criteria. Selection of winners will be made based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, field of study, participation in a specific program, organization or activity, and/or any combination of the above.
Grants
Grants are a form of Gift Aid and do not have to be repaid. Kent State University participates in the five federal and three state grant programs listed in the chart below:
Type Amount Who is Eligible How to Apply How Award is Determined
Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant

Maximum $750 for first year (0-29.99 earned hours); Maximum of $1300 for second year (30-59.99 earned hours)

 U.S. Citizens or permanent residents demonstrating financial need; degree-seeking undergraduates; at least half-time enrollment; Pell Grant recipient; completed rigorous secondary school program of study.

Submit FAFSA in early January each and every year.
Students may also self certify eligibility on www.fafsa.ed.gov for initial consideration of completion of rigorous secondary program.

Eligibility and award amount is determined by the Student Financial Aid Office upon confirmation of completion of rigorous secondary school program, verification of high school graduation date after January 1, 2005, and minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for second year eligibility. Award amount is based on the student's class level and financial need.
Federal Pell Grant $609-5,350 U.S. Citizens or permanent residents demonstrating financial need; undergraduates. Submit FAFSA in early January each and every year Based on need according to federal formula; Students who first received Pell grant funds beginning in 2008/2009 have a maximum lifetime limit of the equivalent of 18 full-time semesters of eligibility.
National SMART Grant

Maximum of $4000

Must be junior or senior status (60-119.99 earned hours) ; U.S. Citizens or permanent residents demonstrating financial need; degree-seeking undergraduates; at least half-time enrollment; Pell Grant recipient; pursuing major in mathematics, science (including physical, life, and computer sciences), technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language. View list of eligible SMART Grant majors at Kent State.

Submit FAFSA in early January each and every year.

Eligibility and award amount is determined by the Student Financial Aid Office upon confirmation of pursuit of degree in eligible major program of study, grade level status as junior or senior, and minimum cumulative KSU GPA of 3.0. Award amount is based on the student's financial need. Grants will be awarded automatically upon confirmation of eligibility.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) $600-2,000 U.S. Citizens or permanent residents demonstrating financial need; undergraduates; at least 1/2 time enrollment Submit FAFSA in early January each and every year Must have zero EFC (according to federal formula); award amount is determined by the student's enrollment status, class level, and residency status. Limited funding is available.
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) $126-$1,008 Based on financial need as determined by Federal Expected Family contribution; enrollment and campus attended (Kent campus students only); Ohio resident; Undergraduates who have not yet earned a baccalaureate degree Submit FAFSA in early January each and every year; FAFSA must be received by October 1st deadline date. Part-time students eligible for the OCOG will have amount adjusted based on actual enrollment; restricted to tuition. For more information visit:
http://regents.ohio.gov/sgs
TEACH Grant Maximum of $4000 per year U.S. Citizen or permanent resident; Enroll in eligible TEACH Grant major at Kent State University as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student; Post-Undergraduates pursuing a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible; Incoming freshmen must score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test; Continuing students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25. Must agree to Teach in a high need field in a school serving low-income students. See federal TEACH Grant Web site for more details. Submit FAFSA in early January each and every year. Students enrolled in eligible major will be contacted by the Student Financial Aid Office. Complete TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve; Complete Annual TEACH Grant Counseling requirements Eligibility and award amount is determined by the Student Financial Aid Office upon confirmation of pursuit of degree in eligible major program of study, grade level status as undergraduate or graduate student, and academic achievement requirements. Award amount is based on the student's enrollment status and other aid awarded.
Pennsylvania State Grant $100-526 Pennsylvania residents attending an Ohio university, minimum 6 credit hours, undergraduates Submit FAFSA in early January (and no later that May 1st), each and every year Based on need/family income. For more information visit www.pheaa.org
Vermont Incentive Grant $700-11,200 Vermont residents attending an Kent State University, full-time, undergraduates Submit FAFSA in early January, a Vermont Grant application (available Online at www.vsac.org/VTGrantApplication) Based on financial need. For more information visit www.vsac.org

Federal Work Study
Employment programs are also a form of Self-help aid and are funds that are earned.  You do not have to be on financial aid to receive an employment position under the University-Funded program.
Type Amount Who is Eligible How to Apply How Award is Determined
Federal Work Study (FWS)* Average for freshmen $2,000,
Continuing students $3,000		 U.S. Citizens or permanent residents demonstrating financial need Submit FAFSA in early January each and every year Part-time, on- or off-campus
Graduate Assistantships Varies Students who are eligible for FWS.  If not, students may have one funded through the individual department Contact college department Part-time, on- or off-campus
University funded positions Varies All undergraduate and graduate students Apply directly to campus departments Part-time, on- or off-campus

* To be considered for these programs, you must answer "yes" to question #28 on the FAFSA.

Federal Work Study
The Student Financial Aid Office awards FWS to students that qualify. The student will be allowed to work in a FWS position on or off-campus. Once the student has been awarded FWS he/she can search the Career Services Center Website for a particular position. The student will need to apply and interview for the position. 

Note: FWS dollars awarded are amounts that can be earned in a given semester and are not applied to your student bill.