Federal Pell Grants

  What is a Federal Pell Grant? 

A Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are only awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. (A professional degree would include a degree in a field such as pharmacy or dentistry.) For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

  How do I qualify? 

To determine if you're eligible, the U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the information you report when you apply. The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) contains this number and will tell you if you're eligible.

  How much money can I receive? 

The maximum award is determined annually by Congress. Currently, the maximum award is $4,310 per academic year for a full-time student. How much you get will depend not only on your EFC, but also on your cost of attendance, whether you're a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less.

  How will I be paid? 

MCC will credit the Pell Grant funds to your account.

  Can I receive a Federal Pell Grant if I am enrolled less than half time? 

Yes, if you're otherwise eligible. The amount of the grant will be pro-rated based on your enrollment. If you are enrolled half-time, then you would receive half of the amount that you would receive as a full-time student.

For more information on the Federal Pell Grant Program, visit the Federal Pell Grants page of the Federal Student Aid web site.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

  What is a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant?

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate MCC students with exceptional financial need--that is, students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs)--and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. An FSEOG doesn't have to be paid back.

  What's the difference between the FSEOG and Federal Pell Grant?

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 FSEOG; students at each school may be awarded an FSEOG based on the availability of funds at that school.

  How much money can I receive? 

The federal maximum amount is $4,000 per year, but MCC students typically receive lower amounts ranging from $300 to $750 per semester.

  How will I be paid?

MCC will credit your account. 

For more information on the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program, visit the FSEOG page of the Federal Student Aid web site.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

  What is an Academic Competitiveness Grant? 

An Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a grant program for MCC students who are enrolled as full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second-year students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. An ACG award doesn't have to be paid back.

  How do I qualify? 

To receive the ACG each academic year, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient
• Be enrolled full-time in a degree program
• Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of his or her program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution
• Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second-year student). Click here for a detailed listing of states' rigorous secondary school programs.
• If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program
• If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale (as set forth in regulations to be promulgated soon) for the first academic year

  How much money can I receive? 

At MCC, first year recipients will receive up to $750 per academic year and second year recipients will receive up to $1,300 per academic year.

  How will I be paid? 

MCC will credit your account.

For more information on the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) Program, visit the ACG page of the Federal Student Aid web site.