Financial Aid Programs Administered by Kent State

Kent State University administers the financial aid programs listed below. Eligible financial aid applicants may be considered for one or more of these programs. The university is not obligated to meet the financial need of students. Awards are based on eligibility requirements, date of application and availability of funds for each program. Students attending a Regional Campus are eligible for similar financial aid packages as those attending the Kent Campus. In addition, other scholarships and/or financial aid may be available locally. For more complete information about financial aid opportunities, students should check with the particular campus

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a federal grant available to eligible undergraduates who have not completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and are in compliance with the Student Financial Aid Office Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. Eligibility is based on the federal formula for determining financial need and is available to full-time and part-time students.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is a federal grant available to undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional financial need (must be Pell Grant eligible) and are in compliance with the Student Financial Aid Office Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress. At Kent State University, exceptional-need students are those with low expected family contributions (as calculated using the federal formula). This award is available to students who are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester and is limited by the availability of funds. Consideration is first given to those students who demonstrate financial need and who meet the priority deadline.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
The ACG is a federal grant available to undergraduates who have not yet completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree and are in compliance with the Student Financial Aid Office Standards of Academic Progress. To be eligible, a student must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient, demonstrate financial need, be enrolled at least half-time in a degree program, have completed a rigorous secondary school program (as defined by the federal government) and graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The ACG is available only during the student’s first two years of college. The award amount is based on the student's financial need.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
The SMART Grant is a federal grant available to undergraduates who have not yet completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and are in compliance with the Student Financial Aid Office Standards of Academic Progress. To be eligible, a student must be a Federal Pell Grant recipient, demonstrate financial need, be enrolled at least half-time, have junior or senior standing, have a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA, and declare a major in mathematics, science (including physical, life and computer sciences), technology, engineering or a critical foreign language. A complete list of eligible majors is available on the Student Financial Aid website. The award amount is based on the student's financial need.

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
The OCOG is funded by the state of Ohio. This award is available to undergraduate Ohio residents who have not completed a baccalaureate degree. Eligibility is based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Grant
The Pennsylvania State Grant is awarded to undergraduate Pennsylvania residents who have not completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree. Eligibility is based on financial criteria established by PHEAA. Kent State University monitors the academic progress criteria established by PHEAA for continued grant eligibility.

Federal Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study program is financial aid funded by the federal government. This fund is not deducted from the bill. The student will receive a bi-weekly paycheck based upon hours works. Work-study may be available to students who attend the university at least half-time (6 credit hours per semester for undergraduates and 4 credit hours per semester for graduates) and who have financial need as determined by the results of the FAFSA application. Job opportunities are listed at "CampusWorks" on the Career Services Center website.

University-Funded Employment Program
This program is available to students attending the university at least half-time (6 credit hours per semester for undergraduates and 4 credit hours per semester for graduates). Most departmental policies allow students to work up to 30 hours per week while enrolled. Filing the FAFSA and subsequent awarding of Federal Work-Study funds are not required for a student to hold a university-funded position. A list of available positions can be found at "CampusWorks" on the Career Services Center website. For more detailed information on the loans programs, visit the Student Financial Aid website and click on “Types of Aid.”

Federal Direct Loan Program (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
The Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. For a subsidized loan, the Department of Education pays the interest while the student is enrolled in school at least half time (6 credit hours undergraduate; 4 credit hours graduate). There is a six month grace period before repayment. The Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program is available to students who do not demonstrate financial need. With an unsubsidized loan, the student will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. The loan principal is deferred for unsubsidized funds; however, the student may choose to pay the accrued interest quarterly or allow it to capitalize. A valid Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be on file with the Department of Education. Students must sign the MPN at the Direct Loan website. The Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN) will be required to sign the MPN. If the student signed the MPN in a previous year and that MPN is still on file with the Department of Education, the student is not required to sign again.

Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
The Parent PLUS Loan is available for parents of dependent students. The parent borrower must be the student’s mother, father or the step parent whose information is reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The amount is determined by the cost of attendance less other financial aid. The parent borrower must complete the PLUS Pre Application on the Student Financial Aid website. The Pre Application will be forwarded to the Department of Education for a credit evaluation. If the credit decision is negative, the parent will have the option to obtain an endorser or allow the student to borrow Unsubsidized Direct Loan funds. The parent borrower will be required to sign the PLUS Master Promissory Note. The parent borrower must contact the Direct Loan Servicer to defer PLUS Loan payments while the student is enrolled half-time. The student must be enrolled at least half time (6 credit hours) before the funds will be applied to the student account.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
The Graduate PLUS Loan is available to graduate students who have exhausted all eligibility for the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized programs. The amount is determined by the cost of attendance less other financial aid including Federal Direct Loan. Graduate students must complete the Graduate PLUS Pre Application on the Student Financial Aid website. The Pre Application will be forwarded to the Department of Education for credit evaluation. A valid Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note (MPN) must be on file with the Department of Education. Students must sign the PLUS MPN at the Direct Loan website. The Department of Education Personal Identification Number (PIN) will be required to sign the MPN. The Graduate PLUS borrower must begin repayment 60 days after the final disbursement of the loan funds.

Federal Perkins Loans/Nursing Loan
Federal Perkins Loans/Nursing Loan awards are based on financial need and the amount of funds available to the university. If awarded, Kent State's Bursar’s Office will e-mail students with information on when and how to sign the Perkins/Nursing Master Promissory Note. If the promissory note was signed in a previous year, the student is not required to sign again. The student must be enrolled at least 6 credit hours per semester. Repayment begins nine months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled half time. No interest is charged while the student is enrolled in school or during the nine-month grace period.

Alternative Loans
Alternative loans are not federally guaranteed and, as a rule, do not require that you file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Terms, fees and borrowing limits of alternative loans differ significantly. The yearly amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance minus other financial aid. For more information regarding alternative loans and the application process, visit the Student Financial Aid Alternative Loans website.