The FSEOG Grant program, or Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program, is for students that are in the most need for financial aid, which makes this strictly a "needs based" program. There are close to 4,000 higher education schools, universities and colleges that participate in this program, so chance are very good you can apply regardless of where you attend. To qualify for the FSEOG program, you must first fill out the FAFSA form, the information gathered will determine if you should apply for the program. Since this is a supplemental grant, it is only awarded to students with the lowest EFC (Expected Family Contribution). The EFC is determined based on many factors such as the family income level, family size, family assets, and investments versus the overall expected cost of tuition.

The FSEOG money is not disbursed directly to the student by the Federal government, it is given to the school which then awards it to the students most in need. For this reason you should apply for the grant as early as possible, the sooner your school receives the results of your FAFSA application the quicker they can determine your need for this supplemental grant. For the same reason, the chances are very good that if you wait too long, the money will already be gone by the time you apply. It's a good idea to mention to your student counselor early on, even while you are filling out your FAFSA application, that you intend to apply for the FSEOG as well.

There are a few things you should know before you apply for the grant. Most schools will only award the money to students that are already approved for enrollment or are already enrolled in classes. The amount of money awarded is determined by the school, not the government. Students which have been approved for the Pell grant are most likely to also qualify for and be awarded the FSEOG grant money as well.

Because it is up to the school to determine how much each student will receive on an individual basis, it is hard to say what the award amount will be. There is a cap of $4,000 per school year which is the maximum a student may receive, but there is no minimum, so you could receive as little as $500. The amount is strictly based on your financial situation and ultimately your need and desire to get the grant.

If you are enrolled in classes or approved for enrollment and have already applied for and received a Pell grant then you should apply for the FSEOG grant immediately and stay on top of the process. Speak to your financial aid officer and student counselor frequently and ask them what you can do, if anything, to better your chance of receiving the grant. Remember the students that apply for the FSEOG grant the earliest are most likely to be awarded.

As with all grants and financial aid the first step is to fill out the FAFSA form and determine first of all if you are in need of financial help. All grants are based on your financial need for them, this does not mean that you should ever falsify information to receive them. The implications of doing so are very harsh. So be honest and apply for any and all grants that you qualify for.