Grants

Grants are "gift aid" and do not require repayment unless a student fails to maintain satisfactory progress and remain enrolled in classes. Cascadia Community College awards the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Washington State Need Grant and Cascadia Grant to eligible students. Grants other than Pell are awarded on a funds available basis. For this reason, timely applications are important.

Federal Pell Grant (PELL)

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. (A professional degree is typically earned after earning a bachelor's degree in a field such as medicine, law, or dentistry.) In some cases, you may receive a Pell Grant for attending a post baccalaureate teacher certification program. For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, completed by the student and submitted to the US Dept. of Education is used to process the Pell Grant. A Student Aid Report (SAR) will be sent to the applicant. A copy of the SAR will be electronically transmitted to the Student Financial Services Office at Cascadia, where the actual amount of the Federal Pell Grant Award will then be determined. Full awards are based on a minimum of 12 credits. Students taking between 9-11 credits will be awarded on a ¾ time basis, and those taking 6-8 credits will be awarded on a ½ time basis. Students enrolled as undergraduates but who already have a bachelor's degree are not eligible.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The purpose of the FSEOG Program is to provide grants to students who demonstrate a calculated financial need. Students enrolled as undergraduates but who have already received a bachelor's degree are not eligible. A student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits or more).

Washington State Need Grant (SNG)

The college is given a specific allotment of money that comes from state appropriations and is available to assist low and lower/middle income Washington residents who enroll in eligible programs. Eligibility is determined using a methodology established by the state and administered by the Higher Education Coordinating Board. The student may receive the grant for a maximum of five years as long as they have not received an undergraduate degree. Five years is equal to 15 quarters. Also, a student may not be awarded the SNG if they have obtained credits that exceeded 125 percent of the published length of his or her program. A student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for the SNG.

Who is considered a Washington Resident?

"Resident" means being a resident of the State of Washington as defined in RCW 28B.15.012(2)(a) through (d) and Board-adopted rules pertaining to the determination of residency. The statutory reference and the complete residency rules are in the "Rules" section of the State Need Grant Manual available in the Student Financial Services office.