Grants are the most attractive form of financial aid since they do not have to be repaid (unless you withdraw from school and owe a refund). All federal grants are awarded to students with financial need. The amount of a Federal Pell Grant depends on your cost of attendace, expected family contribution, enrollment status (full or part time) and whether you attend for a full academic year or less. The amount of other grant awards depend on your financial need.

There are five types of federal student aid (FSA) grants available to students at the university.

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Federal Pell Grant (PELL) is the foundation of federal student aid and the largest of federal grants, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources migh be added. Pell Grants are generally awarded only to undergraduate students who haven't earned a bachelor's degree.

YEAR ROUND PELL

Summer 2010

Beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year, a Pell Grant recipient may receive up to two(2) scheduled awards (200%) in an award year.

For the summer of 2010, Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) will assign the 2010 summer crossover period to the 2009-2010 award year in all cases and no consideration will be given to academic progression (acceleration) requirements as described in the federal regulations related to year round Pell for the 2009-2010 academic year.

For transfer students who begin enrollment at MVSU starting summer 2010, MVSU will determine the amount of Pell Grant paid at the prior institution during award year from information obtained from the student's valid ISIR or the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to determine whether the student is eligible to receive the second scheduled award at MVSU.

Awarding

Example: If the student receives a full time award in fall 2009 and spring 2010 and enrolls in 6 hours or more in the summer, they would receive Pell grant for the summer payment period from the 2009-2010 year, providing they are otherwise eligible.

Disbursement

Disbursement of Year Round Pell will be based on enrollment as well as other eligibility requirements. All other Title IV policies governing the Pell Grant will be applied, as appropriate.

Summer 2011

Beginning summer 2011 and subsequent years, after 2011, the following rules will be applied using the correct aid years as determined by federal regulations.

• Summer 2011 will be considered a cross-over payment period, which means that a Pell grant may be paid out of the 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 award year, depending on which award year provides the highest payment.
  
• Students must have a valid ISIR/Student Aid Report on file for both award years for comparison
• Students must earn 24 credit hours (both fall and spring) and register for at least 6 credit hours (half time) for the summer term. If the student has completed at least 24 hours by the start of the summer term, the hours in which the student is enrolled in the summer (at least half time) when added to the hours earned in the fall and spring must be equal to at least 25 hours.

Awarding

Example: MVSU defines its academic year as 24 credit hours (fall and spring semesters combined). If the student receives a full-time award in fall 2010 and spring 2011(first scheduled award - 100%) and enrolls in 6 hours or more in summer 2011, they would receive Pell grant for the summer payment period from the 2010-2011 or the 2011-2012 award year (second scheduled award - 200%) based on whichever will provide the largest scheduled award, providing they are otherwise eligible.

Transfer Students

For transfer students who begin enrollment at MVSU starting summer 2011, MVSU will use the assumption method to determine acceleration toward the second scheduled award. The National Student Loan Data System and the student's ISIR will be used to insure accurate awarding of the scheduled award.

Awarding

Example: If the transfer student received 100% of their first Scheduled Pell Award at another institution, MVSU will assume that the student completed the first academic year. If the student received less than 100%, MVSU will assume the student completed the same ratio of an academic year as Pell grant received. This is necessary to determine whether the student is eligible to recieve the second Scheduled Pell Award.

Special Circumstances

Academic Year completion can be waived if:

• MVSU determines that the student was unable to complete the hours of the first academic year due to "circumstances beyond the student's control." (Determination must be documented and made on a student by student basis.)
  • Special circumstances beyond a student's control may include but are not limited to:
    • A student withdrawing from class due to illness
    • A student being unable to register for classes necessary to complete his or her eligible program because those classes were not offered.
      
  • Special circumstances beyond a student's control. does not include:
    
    • Withdrawing to avoid a particular grade or failing to register for a necessary class that was offered during the period to avoid a particular instructor.
      

Policy Terms

Scheduled Award - The maximum amount the student would receive during the award year if attending full time for a full academic year.

Academic Progression (Acceleration) - During a single award year, a student has completed one academic year and earned 24 credits and is enrolled in at least one credit that would be attributable to the next academic year.

Cross-over Payment Period - Occurs when a single payment period is in two award years. This only happens when the last day of an award year (June 30) and the first day of an award year (July 1) coincide during the same payment period.

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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federal grant available to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need and receiving a federal pell grant. FSEOG awards range from $100 to $4,000 a year.

Awarding of FSEOG depends on the amount of funds that the school receives each year from the U.S. Department of Education. Priority consideration is given to students with exceptional financial need. When all funds are awarded for the award year, no more FSEOG awards can be made for that academic year. It is important that you apply early to be considered for these funds. Receiving FSEOG one year does not make you eligible to receive it each awarding year. 

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a federal grant program that began in the 2006-07 award year. It is available for full-time undergraduate students enrolled in an eligible program, who receive Federal Pell Grants and are U.S. Citizens. Students also must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study and be enrolled in at least a two-year academic program acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree or enrolled in a graduate degree program that includes three academic years of undergraducate education.

First academic year undergraduate students must:

• Be enrolled in an eligible degree program 

• Have completed a rigorous program of study in high school 

• Not have been previously enrolled as a regular student in an undergraduate degree program 

• Have graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2006 

• This award is up to $750 for the first academic year.

Second academic year undergraduate students must:

• Be enrolled in an eligible degree program

• Have completed a rigorous program of study in high school

• Have graduated from high school after Jan. 1, 2005

• Have at least a 3.0 GPA and earned 30 credit hours (not including summer terms) for the first academic year of their eligible program

• This award is up to $1300 for the second academic year.

National SMART Grant is a new grant program for full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled in the third and fourth academic year of an eligible degree program, who receive Federal Pell Grants and are U.S. citizens. Undergraduate students do not have to complete a rigorous secondary school program of student to be eligible for this grant.

Students must:

• Be pursuing an eligible major in physical, life, or computer sciences, engineering, technology, mathematics or a critical-need foreign lanquage; and
• Have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

This money does not have to be paid back. All awards are divided equally between Fall and Spring semesters and credited to the student's account.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is available for students who are no Pell-eligible, whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001; an who, at the time of the parent's or guardian's death, were less than 24 years old or were enrolled at least part-time at an institution of higher education.

Award Amount - The maximum is the same as Pell; payment adjusted for less-than-full time study.

State Grants: Application process and requirements vary from state to state, but residency requirements are common. Applicants who live outside of Mississippi should check with their state agencies to determine whether awards are available for students wishing to attend out-of-state colleges and universities.

OTHER GRANTS AVAILABLE AT MISSISSIPPI VALLEY

STATE GRANTS

The State of Mississippi has several grant and Scholarship/Loan Programs available to students who attend a recognized college or university in the State. Students attending the university should consider the eligibility requirements of the state funded financial aid programs.

Critical Needs Teacher Loan/Scholarship Program (CNTP)

Graduate Teacher Loan/Scholarship (GTS)

Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP)

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)

Summer Development Grant

William Winter Teacher Scholar/Loan Program (WWTS)

Requirements, applications and deadlines for each program can be accessed at the Mississippi Office of State Student Financial Aid or you may call 1-800-327-2980 or 601-432-6997 in Jackson.