Grants

A grant is a type of gift aid that does not require repayment. Eligibility for need-based grants is determined using federal, state and institutional formulas that utilize data received from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All aid listed below requires completion of the FAFSA.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant awarded by the Department of Education.

• Awarded to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens
• Max award is $7,395
• Awarded to students with an EFC of $6656 or less
• Eligible students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program and pursuing their first associate or bachelor's degree
• Students attending less than full time will have their Pell Grant prorated

Effective July 1, 2012, regulations limit a student's Pell grant eligibility to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters. Students who have reached their 12 full-time semester limit will no longer receive Pell grant funding.

Effective for the 2017-2018 aid year the Department of Education initiated the year-round Pell grant. A student may be eligible to receive an additional semester of their Federal Pell Grant award over and above the initial annual award amount. Under full eligibility, a student would receive 150% of their Pell Grant scheduled award for the year. To qualify for the additional award amount, the student must be enrolled at least half-time during the payment period the additional Pell Grant fund will disburse.

Effective for the 2024-2025 aid year, students will no longer need to be enrolled at least half-time during the payment period the additional Pell Grant fund will disburse. 

Click for more information on the Federal Pell Grant.

Repeated Classes and Eligibility

Under new regulations, students passing a course with a grade of D or above can retake the same course only one more time to receive financial aid for that course. Courses taken for a third time are no longer eligible for financial aid. The new regulations impact Federal Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Work Study, Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG is a need-based grant funded by the Department of Education. YSU awards this grant to students who complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline date.

• Awarded to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens
• Current award is $400
• Eligible students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program and pursuing their first associate or bachelor's degree
• Students attending less than full-time will have their FSEOG prorated (must attend at least half-time)

Click for more information on the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant.

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)

The Ohio College Opportunity Grant is a need-based grant funded by the State of Ohio. Students must be in Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) compliance in order to maintain OCOG eligibility.

• FAFSA must be completed by October 1 of each year
• Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 3750 or less
• Full or part-time enrollment (pro-rated for part-time)
• Ohio Resident
• Current award is $3,200
• Students are limited to 10 semesters
• Eligible students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program and pursuing their first associate or bachelor's degree

Click for more information on the Ohio College Opportunity Grant.

Pennsylvania State Grant Program (PA STATe grant)

The PA State Grant is a need-based grant funded by the State of Pennsylvania.

• FAFSA must be completed by May 1 of each year
• Full or half-time enrollment (pro-rated for less-than-full-time)
• PA Resident
• Eligible students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program and pursuing their first bachelor's degree

Click for more information on the PA State Grant Progam.

YSU/PA STate Supplemental Grant

Recognizing the legislative cap on Pennsylvania grants to Pennsylvania residents attending Ohio universities, the supplemental grant program was initiated and funded by the YSU Foundation.

• Automatically awarded to PA State Grant recipients attending YSU
• Awarded in amounts up to 200% of the PA State Grant received (subject to availability of funds)