College Planning & Financial Aid

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. It is designed for students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant doesn't have to be paid back. The difference between the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and Federal Pell Grant is that the U.S. Department of Education guarantees that each participating school will receive enough money to pay the Federal Pell Grants of its eligible students. There's no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive an Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Students at each college may be awarded a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant based on the availability of funds at that college. You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on when you apply, your level of need, the funding level of the college you're attending, and the policies of the financial aid office where you attend college.