The following programs are available at Rhodes State College:

1. Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded based on full-time (12 hrs. or more), part-time (9- 11 hrs.), half- time (6-8 hrs.), or less than halftime (1-5 hrs.). The award maximum is $5,350. If the maximum Pell is used during summer, fall and winter quarters, students may be eligible for additional Pell spring quarter. Once students are registered for at least six credit hours spring quarter, the Financial Aid Office will award additional Pell.

2. SEOG

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to those students who have the lowest EFCs, are enrolled full-time, and have a GPA greater than 1.99. The award maximum is $750 and funds are limited. Not all students who meet the qualifications will be awarded SEOG, due to budget allocations. Priority is given to those students who file the FAFSA by May 15.

3. Federal Work Study

The Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) has an initial award of $2000 per year. Award determination is based on the date the FAFSA was submitted, the date the FWSP application was submitted to the Financial Aid Office, and an unmet need greater than $2000. Funding is limited. A student who is not eligible for the Federal Work Study grant may be eligible to work at the college and be paid wages. All student employees must follow all the rules in the Student Employment Program Handbook. The student employee must follow the Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as stated on the following page. You must secure college employment on your own. A list of potential campus employers is located in the Financial Aid Office. No awards can be disbursed until all appropriate paperwork is submitted to the Business Office.

4. Federal Stafford Loans

Both the subsidized and unsubsidized loan must be repaid. The maximum loan for dependent students is $5,500 for up to 44 earned hours and $6,500 for 45 hours to 162 hours. For independent students an additional $4,000 may be secured each year. Failure to maintain at least six credit hours each quarter will result in the cancellation of the loan.

5. Federal PLUS Loans

The PLUS loan is a loan borrowed by a parent for a dependent undergraduate student. The maximum award amount is the student’s Cost of Attendance less other financial aid that the student receives. A student must be registered for at least six credit hours to remain eligible. Failure to maintain at least six credit hours each quarter will result in the cancellation of the PLUS loan.

All federal, state, and institutional aid cannot exceed the students’ Cost of Attendance (COA). COA less Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = total aid eligibility. (Federal Student Aid Handbook, 2009-2010.