Grants

Gustavus Adolphus College offers grants to students who demonstrate financial eligibility by filing the FAFSA. These grants include: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Minnesota State Grant, Minnesota Student Teacher Grants, Minnesota Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant and the Gustavus Tuition Grant. They do not need to be repaid. Grants are made to students who demonstrate financial eligibility based on information provided on the FAFSA.

Federal Pell Grant

  • The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Pell grants are awarded based on an annual Pell chart/table released by the Department of Education. Generally, Pell grants are based on a student’s EFC, enrollment status and the COA of the school at which they are attending. Amounts are determined by the annual Pell chart/table. Recipients are chosen according to a standardized federal formula that determines eligibility based on information provided on the FASFA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

  • The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to undergraduate Pell eligible students that are enrolled at least half-time and demonstrate exceptional financial need. Exceptional need is determined by the student’s EFC. Under normal processing and consideration students with a $0 EFC are awarded first. If funds are available after all eligible $0 EFC students are awarded, or extenuating situations arise, Pell eligible students with a higher EFC could be considered. Gustavus selects the recipients of this federal funding based on the information provided on the FAFSA. Maximum award is $500 and is dependent on available federal funding for the academic year.

Federal TEACH Grant

  • Federal TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students who are willing to commit to teach full time in a high-need field at a low income school. If you do not complete the four-year teaching obligation, this grant will convert to an unsubsidized direct federal loan. Due to the required federal sequester reductions, the TEACH amount will be reduced according to federal requirements.

Minnesota State Grant

  • Minnesota State Grant is awarded to Minnesota residents who graduate from a Minnesota high school and who demonstrates financial need. Recipients must complete the FAFSA to be considered for state grant money, be enrolled as a full-time student, and register for a minimum of 3.75 courses per semester to receive full funding. Your FAFSA must be filed no later than October 1 in order to receive full state grant funding in addition to meeting the enrollment requirements.

Minnesota Student Teacher Grants

  • The Minnesota Student Teacher Grants provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in Minnesota teacher preparation programs during one term in which the student is completing a required 12-week or more student teaching experience. This program is based on a funds available basis, selected undergraduate and graduate students may receive awards of up to $7,500 for one term. There are two grants available based on eligibility:
    • The Minnesota Student Teachers in Shortage Areas Grant (Formerly Teacher Candidate Grant) provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible students who intend to teach in a license shortage area or rural school district after graduating and receiving their teaching license.
    • The Minnesota Underrepresented Student Teacher Grant provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible students who belong to a racial or ethnic group underrepresented in the Minnesota teacher workforce.
  • A student must submit a complete application to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education for the term in which the student is completing a required 12-week or more student teaching experience. 

Minnesota Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant

  • The Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants is a financial aid program that seeks to eliminate that barrier for Minnesota students who were in the foster care system. If you are a Minnesota resident under age 27 and were in the Minnesota foster care system at any point after your thirteenth birthday, this grant may cover the cost of attendance at any eligible Minnesota public or participating private college and university. Accessing the grant is as simple as filling out either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Minnesota Dream Act application. Both applications include a question about foster care; the Minnesota Department of Human Services will confirm your information. If you are eligible, your postsecondary institution will award the grant as part of your financial aid package.

Gustavus Tuition Grants

  • Gustavus Tuition Grants are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. Tuition Grants will be renewed each year. The FAFSA must be completed each year for renewal. The Grant may change if your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA changes from year to year. The most common factors impacting a change in EFC are a change in number of family members enrolled in college and a change in family income.