Title IV Programs
In managing Title IV grants, loans and work-study programs, Federal Student Aid ensures the accessibility, affordability and accountability of higher education to better prepare students and adults for employment and future learning.
Federal Student Aid Grants
- Federal Pell Grants
- The most need-based of the student aid programs, this program provides grant aid to low- and middle-income undergraduate students. Awards vary depending on the cost of attendance and financial circumstances of students and their families.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- Participating schools award FSEOG to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, based on the availability of funds.
- Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)
- Pell Grant eligible students who have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study may be eligible for ACG for first and second-year undergraduate studies.
- National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (National SMART)
- This grant may be available, for the third, fourth and fifth years of undergraduate study, to Pell-eligible students majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (TEACH)
- This program provides grant assistance to students who are completing or who plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching. In exchange for the grant, a student must sign an Agreement to Serve as a full-time teacher under certain specific conditions.
- Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) and Special LEAP (SLEAP) Grants
- These formula-based programs make federal funds available to states to assist them in providing student assistance programs for individuals with substantial financial need.
Federal Student Aid Loans
- Direct Loan Program
- These funds are lent directly to students for undergraduate and graduate studies, through participating postsecondary schools, with funds borrowed from the U.S. Treasury. Direct Loans include subsidized and unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans for parents and graduate or professional degree students, and consolidation loans, which allow borrowers to combine federal education loan debt.
- Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL)
- FFEL funds are provided to students by private and non-profit lenders, insured by loan guaranty agencies and reinsured by the federal government. These loans are otherwise similar to Direct Stafford Loans.
- Federal Perkins Loans
- These loans are made through participating schools to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. These loans are offered to students demonstrating the greatest financial need. Awards are based on a student's need and a school's available funding.
Federal Student Aid Work-Study
- Work-Study
- Work-study programs provide part-time employment for students while they are enrolled in school. Students are paid directly for their work and schools are responsible for administering the program. Award amount varies based on the student's needs and school's funding level.
