Federal Aid Programs

Emporia State University participates in all the major Federal Student Aid programs listed below. Eligibility for these programs is based on the results of your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When completing your FAFSA, be certain to list Emporia State University (code number 001927) so that we may receive your FAFSA results via computer from the federal processing center. This will increase the efficiency with which your application is processed.

The links below will lead you directly to the corresponding section of the U.S. Department of Education's Student Guide for more detailed information.

Federal Pell Grant

This is a grant program available to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Annual awards range from $400 to $4,000, based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Currently, any eligible student who is degree-seeking and maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress may receive a Pell Grant for any number of hours in which he/she is enrolled.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Academic Competitiveness Grant is available for the first time for the 2006-2007 school year for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award. An Academic Competitiveness Grant will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who had 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 (GPA) of at least 3.0.

National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award. A National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

This is a grant program available to undergraduate students with exceptionally large financial aid eligibility. The program requirements stipulate priority must be given to Pell Grant recipients. Because of limited funds, grants at ESU may range from $100 to $500 per year. Apply early for priority consideration.

Federal Work-Study

This is a student employment program funded with federal and university dollars and is available to students with financial need. FWS is an opportunity for students to earn money through employment to help pay expenses and control loan debt.

Federal Perkins Loan

This is a low-interest loan program funded by the federal government and ESU, with the university acting as lender. Currently, the maximum Perkins Loan award is $3,000 per academic year for ESU Kansas resident undergraduates, $4,000 for ESU non-resident undergraduates, and $5,000 for graduate students. Offers of the Perkins Loan are contingent upon availability of funds, demonstrated federal aid eligibility,and program requirements. The repayment period begins following a 9 month grace period, which begins after the student is no longer enrolled at least half-time in college. The loan carries a fixed interest rate of 5 percent, and the maximum repayment period is 10 years. Remember, this is a loan which must be repaid.

Federal Stafford Loan Programs

Stafford Loans are the Department of Education's major form of self-help aid. At ESU, funds for the Stafford programs are borrowed from private lenders (banks, credit unions, or other lending institutions). Stafford Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government "subsidizes" the interest during these periods.

An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You'll be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If you allow the interest to accumulate, it will be capitalized --that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount. This will increase the amount you have to repay. If you choose to pay the interest as it accumulates, you'll repay less in the long run. As of July 1, 2006, these loans carry a fixed interest rate of 6.8%.  Students who utilize the Stafford Loan Program are required to complete LOAN COUNSELING before their loan proceeds can be released.

For more detailed information about Stafford Loans at ESU, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid, 620-341-5457 or 1-800-896-0567 or finaid@emporia.edu. Remember, these are loans which must be repaid.

Federal PLUS Loans (Parent Loans)

PLUS Loans (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) are available to allow parents of dependent students to borrow funds to assist the student. A parent may borrow an amount up to the established cost of attendance, less any other financial aid the student receives. As of July 1, 2006, PLUS loans will carry a fixed interest rate of 8.5%.  Repayment begins sixty days after the loan is disbursed. Remember, this is a loan which must be repaid.

Federal PLUS Loans (Graduate and Professional Degree Student Loans)

Graduate and professional degree students are now eligible to borrow under the PLUS Loan Program up to their cost of attendance minus other estimated financial assistance. The terms and conditions applicable to Parent PLUS Loans also apply to Graduate/Professional PLUS loans. These requirements include a determination that the applicant does not have an adverse credit history, repayment beginning on the date of the last disbursement of the loan, and a fixed interest rate of 8.5 percent. Applicants for these loans are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). They also must have applied for their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program before applying for a Graduate/Professional PLUS loan.