Federal Assistance Programs
Federal Pell Grant
Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Students must demonstrate high financial need to be eligible for this aid program.Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
This federal grant is awarded to students who meet the following qualifications: Pell Grant recipients, U.S. Citizens, enrolled full-time, graduated from high school in 2006 or later, met the rigorous high school program requirements, have earned 47 or less credits and have a 3.0 Nevada State College cumulative GPA (or be a newly admitted freshman). Eligible students can receive this grant for up to 2 years within the parameters specified by the U.S. Department of Education.National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)
This federal grant is awarded to students who meet the following qualifications: Pell Grant recipients, U.S. Citizens, enrolled full-time, have earned more than 48 credits (including transfer work), have a 3.0 cumulative Nevada State College GPA for continuing students or a 3.0 GPA if a transfer student and admitted into an eligible math or science degree program. Eligible students can receive this grant for up to 4 years within the parameters specified by the U.S. Department of Education.Federal Plus Loans – Loans to Parents
These are loans parents can get to assist with paying for a son or daughter's educational expenses. The son or daughter must be a dependent undergraduate student and enrolled at least half-time (6 credits). This loan accrues interest throughout the lifetime of the loan, even while attending school and parents begin repaying the loan 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. The interest rate on this loan will never exceed 9.00%.Federal Stafford Loans
The Federal Stafford Loan is an affordable, low interest loan designed for undergraduate students as a means of off-setting their educational expenses. To be eligible for Stafford Loans students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) and complete the FAFSA.- Subsidized Stafford: This loan is interest free while attending school with 6 credits or more. Students are expected to begin to repaying this loan 6 months after graduation, withdraw from school or drop below 6 credits. Once repayment begins the interest on the loan will begin to accrue. The interest rate for this loan will never exceed 8.25%.
- Unsubsidized Stafford: This loan accrues interest throughout the lifetime of the loan, even while attending school. Students are expected to begin repaying this loan 6 months after graduation, withdraw from school or drop below 6 credits. This loan also has the option of making interest only payments while attending school to provide additional savings. The interest rate for this loan will never exceed 8.25%.
NOTE: The amounts available to borrow depend on the applicant's grade level in school and on the type of student: dependent undergraduate, independent undergraduate or a dependent undergraduate whose parents are unable to get a PLUS – Parent Loan.
To find more about these three Federal Programs offered at Nevada State College, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website to view The Student Guide.