Grants

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Grant Aid MHC Grant Federal Grants State Grants Employer Benefit

If a student is determined to have financial aid eligibility, the College puts together a financial aid package, which generally consists of a combination of grant, loan, and work-study aid. These three types of assistance may be funded by institutional, federal, and state sources. You may also find the Guide to Your Financial Aid Package (PDF) helpful.

Grant Aid

Grants are gifts that do not need to be repaid. Grant funding comes from institutional, federal, and state sources. Mount Holyoke requires all domestic students to apply for appropriate federal and state grants. This is done in most cases, by completing the FAFSA. You should, however, check with your state agency for more detailed information (see State Grants below).

Mount Holyoke College Grant

College grants are based on demonstrated financial aid eligibility as determined by the College and are funded by endowment earnings, the annual operating budget, and gifts from alumnae, parents, and friends. If a domestic student receives a federal or state grant that was not included in the original package, the grant does not replace the family contribution (FC). Therefore, the Mount Holyoke grant is reduced by the amount of the federal or state grant. If a student fails to meet the appropriate deadline or to complete the required paperwork to determine eligibility for government grants, the College will not provide an institutional grant to make up the lost government funding.  Grants funded by Mount Holyoke include Mary Lyon Legacy Grant, Student Government Association Grant and the Health Insurance Grant.

Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant
This grant is awarded to students with high demonstrated financial need, as determined by federal guidelines. Generally those with a family adjusted gross income (AGI) of $35,000 or less are eligible for the Pell grant. Grants range from $400 to $4,310 in 2007-2008.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The College awards the FSEOG to students with high demonstrated financial need. Recipients of the Federal Pell grant are given priority for FSEOG awards, which range from $500 to $2,000.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
The Federal ACG program was recently established by Congress and began in the 2006-2007 academic year.  First- and second-year students who qualify for the Pell Grant and who meet other federally-defined criteria regarding their rigorous high school curriculum and grade point average may receive this grant.   Student Financial Services will determine which students are eligible for the ACG and will notify them accordingly.  As with the Federal Pell and SEOG grants, the ACG will replace Mount Holyoke Grant dollar-for-dollar in the aid package.  For more information please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s financial aid Web site.

Federal National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant
The National SMART Grant program was also recently established by Congress and began in the 2006-2007 academic year.  Third- and fourth-year students who qualify for the Pell Grant and who meet other federally-defined criteria regarding major field of study and grade point average may receive this grant.   Student Financial Services will determine which students are eligible for the SMART Grant and will notify them accordingly.  As with the Federal Pell and SEOG grants, the SMART Grant will replace Mount Holyoke Grant dollar-for-dollar in the aid package.  For more information please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s financial aid Web site.

State Grants

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont offer scholarship and grant programs for students who reside in those states. Applicants for the Massachusetts State Scholarship must reside in Massachusetts for at least one year prior to receiving the scholarship. High school guidance counselors or state scholarship offices can provide eligibility and deadline information. For the telephone number and address of a particular state's scholarship office, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Employer Benefit

When a parent receives a tuition benefit through her or his employer, this funding directly reduces any College grant.