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Federal Grants

Students who are eligible for federal student aid are automatically considered for federal grants when they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). There are four types of federal student aid grants – which do not need to be repaid, and one specialized grant/loan combination.  All grants are awarded according to a student’s eligibility and financial need, as determined by from the information you submitted on the FAFSA

PLEASE NOTE: Students who received a Social Security Number through the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrival (DACA), and who qualify for AB 540, should complete the CA Dream Act Application in order to be considered for state financial aid, as they are NOT Eligible for Federal Student Aid.

Federal Grants Basic Eligibility Criteria
Federal Pell Grant
Undergraduate and credential students
  • Depends on expected family contribution, enrollment status, and duration of attendance.
  • Effective Fall 2012, students are limited to a total of six full-time years (600%) of Pell Grant eligibility. Visit the NSLDS web site to determine the percentage of Pell grant you have received
  • Need based, does not require repayment
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Undergraduate students
  • Must be Pell–eligible undergraduate
  • Must have a zero Expected Family Contribution
  • Must not be receiving the EOP Grant
  • Funds are very limited
  • Need based, does not require repayment
Federal Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG)
Undergraduate students
  • Identified by Department of Defense
  • Dependent of deceased Veteran of Iraq/Afghanistan War
  • 23 years of age or younger at the time of Veteran's death
  • If older than 23 years of age, enrolled at institution of higher learning at the time of death
  • Not based on need, does not require repayment
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)
  • Must be enrolled in a TEACH-eligible program plan
  • Must file a FAFSA and have official EFC
  • Minimum GPA of 3.25 or be a current or retired teacher obtaining a Master's degree
  • Must complete initial and subsequent counseling and sign Agreement to Serve (ATS)
  • Four years of teaching service is required or will require repayment
  • Not based on need

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is need-based. It is awarded to eligible undergraduates and students officially accepted into the credential program, who have an Expected Family Contribution EFC up to $5,081 as calculated by the 2013-2014 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The estimated maximum Pell Grant for 2013/2014 is $5,645.

Effective Fall 2012, the federal government has mandated that eligible students (Undergraduate and Credential) can receive Pell Grant funding for up to 12 full-time semesters (600%) or the equivalent. This total includes Pell Grant received at all institutions attended – and is retroactive. You cannot appeal this federal regulation or request an extension. Visit the NSLDS web site to determine the percentage of Pell grant you have received.

Credential students must be enrolled in a minimum of six units of required credential courses to receive a Federal Pell Grant. The Federal Pell Grant is not available for prerequisite courses, courses that are suggested as beneficial, or for elective courses. Disbursement for Credential Pell will occur after each semester's add/drop period, once our office has reviewed your coursework to confirm you meet all the criteria for disbursement. Students who are conditionally admitted to the program are NOT eligible for a Pell award.

By completing the FAFSA, you are automatically considered for a Pell Grant. Refer to our How to Apply page. The FAFSA determines your eligibility to receive Pell Grant. If you are eligible, the amount you receive is based on the financial information that you report as well as:

  • the number of units for which you are enrolled at the University Census deadline each term, and
  • whether your enrollment is for a full academic year or less
  • the percentage of Pell Grant that you have received in the past (you are limited to 12 full-time semesters (600%) of Pell Grant eligibility.

You may receive Pell Grant funds from only one school at a time.

Additional information on the Pell Grant is available on the U.S. Department of Education’s website at StudentAid.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

FSEOG is a federally-funded program for undergraduate students with exceptional need.  Students who have filed by the March 2nd priority filing date will be given priority consideration for this award.  You must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units to receive funding from this award.

Additional information on the FSEOG Grant is available on the U.S. Department of Education’s StudentAid.gov website.

Federal Iraq Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG)

A student whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of September 11, 2001 may receive an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if:

  • The student is not eligible for a Pell Grant based on his or her Expected Family Contribution (EFC) but meets all other remaining Pell Grant eligibility requirements, AND
  • At the time of the parent or guardian’s death, the student was less than 24 years old, OR
  • At the time of the parent or guardian’s death, the student was enrolled at least part-time at an institution of higher education.

The amount of the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is the same as the maximum Pell Grant Award ($5,500 for 2012 – 2013), and will be adjusted accordingly based on enrolled units.  The Department of Defense (DOD) will identify eligible individuals.

Additional information on the IASG Grant is available on the U.S. Department of Education’s StudentAid.gov website.

TEACH Grant:

The TEACH Grant is actually a grant/loan combination that requires a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS), as the grant will convert to an unsubsidized loan in the future if the contracted teaching obligations are not met.  If this happens, interest accrual will be effective as of the date of the first TEACH disbursement.

The TEACH Grant is not included in financial aid award offers, but can be offered during the award year to eligible students (students self-identify by completing the TEACH paperwork). Specific eligible programs have been determined in conjunction with the College of Education.

Award Information

  • Maximum Annual Amount: — $4,000 per academic year
  • Maximum aggregate amount:
    • Undergraduate or Credential Students — Up to $16,000 aggregate amount
    • Master's Students — Up to $8,000 aggregate amount
  • Duration of eligibility: — Maximum of two years depending on cumulative units earned

Because this award requires verification of specific enrollment criteria and counseling requirements, eligibility will be determined by CSU Long Beach after the end of the add/drop period for each term (Census). TEACH Grants will be awarded after Census and after the Office of Financial Aid receives acknowledgement that the student has completed all the requirements as outlined on CSULB’s TEACH Grant page.

Additional information on the TEACH Grant is available on the U.S. Department of Education’s StudentAid.gov website.

Additional Resources