What is an educational opportunity grant?

An educational opportunity grant is a type of grant, provided by the federal government and a select number of state governments, that is awarded to students with exceptional financial need. Unlike a student loan, educational opportunity grants do not need to be repaid. Students should check with their state government to see if there is a local educational opportunity grant available to them.

The Federal Government's program is called the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which awards grants to undergraduates with proven, exceptional financial need. Students who receive the Pell Grant and have the lowest expected family contributions will be considered first. The amount of the FSEOG grant ranges from $100 to $4000 a year, and depends on factors such as when the student applies for aid, their financial need, and the policies of the school that they attend.

Many states, such as Washington, Texas, and California, offer their own educational opportunity grants. The program in Washington provides $2500 grants to students who have exceptional financial need, have received an associate's degree, and are attending one of twenty approved private or public schools. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

California offers Cal Grants to needy students in good academic and financial standing. Unlike Washington, Cal Grants may only be used to offset the costs of attending one of the state's public schools. If a California student graduates high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA and has demonstrated significant financial need, they will receive an entitlement grant. Students demonstrating less financial need and a minimum 3.0 GPA may apply for competitive grants. Other types of Cal Grants are also offered to students with a GPA of at least 2.0.

Texas students who have never been convicted of a drug-related crime and expect a family contribution of less than $2000 are eligible for Texas Educational Opportunity Grants. Like California, these grants are applicable only at the state's public schools. Nearly 4,000 students received grants ranging from $865 to $2585 in the 2005-2006 school year.