Grants for Undergraduate Students

Grants are awarded based on financial need. Similar to scholarships, they do not need to be paid back.

  1. Admissions & Aid
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  3. Undergraduate Financial Aid
  4. Grants for Undergraduate Students

How to Apply for a Grant

Grants are a form of financial aid that can come from various sources like state and federal grants and even directly from Widener. You'll sometimes hear grants referred to as "gift aid" because, like a gift, they're yours to keep.

You apply for a grant by completing the FAFSA. If you have any questions about how to complete your FAFSA, visit our Financial Aid page.

Types of Grants

Federal Pell Grants are funds provided by the U.S. government for students who need it to pay for college based on their expected family contribution (EFC). Federal Pell Grants are administered by Widener's financial aid services department. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, you must:

  • Be an undergraduate student who has not earned a bachelor's or professional degree
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regularly admitted student in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • Have earned a high school diploma or a GED or have completed a high school education in an approved home-school setting
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen 

Award Amount

  • The maximum Federal Pell Grant award for 2019–2020 academic year is $6,195
    *U.S. government determines maximum grant amounts annually
  • Individual award amounts are finalized at the end of drop/add periods each semester and are determined based on student status

FSEOG grants are for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.

To be eligible for a FSEOG grant, you must:

  • Be an undergraduate student who has not earned a bachelor's or professional degree
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regularly admitted student in an eligible degree or certificate program
  • Have earned a high school diploma or a GED or have completed a high school education in an approved home-school setting
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen

Although the requirements for eligibility are the same as the Federal Pell Grant, not all Pell Grant recipients will receive a FSEOG grant.

Many states offer grants that are typically need-based and limited to students attending schools within their own state of residence. 

For a comprehensive list of state-specific grants and awards, visit the State Contacts page on the U.S. Department of Education website. 

Some states, such as Delaware, have reciprocity agreements with Pennsylvania, so that you can receive Delaware grants while studying in Pennsylvania. Students who are residents of Pennsylvania, Delaware, or other reciprocal states are expected to apply for their own state's grant.

Widener shares its financial resources with full-time, undergraduate, day students who demonstrate financial need and are pursuing their first degree.

Eligibility

  • Eligibility is determined based on the FAFSA
  • Students are automatically considered for the Widener Grant-In-Aid after they complete and submit their FAFSA. A separate application is not needed

Award Amount

  • up to eight full-time semesters of grant assistance

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