Grants

A Federal Pell Grant is federal gift assistance that does not need to be repaid. The Federal Pell Grant is based upon eligibility determined annually by your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrollment status. Baccalaureate degree holders generally are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants. For more details, including current year maximum award amounts, visit the Federal Student Aid website.  Information and requirements for receiving Pell Grants during the summer term can be found here.

A Pell grant eligible student (as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) whose parent or guardian has died in the line of duty while serving as a public safety officer, may be eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant award. A student must be Pell eligible and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his/her parents or guardians death. If you think you may qualify for this award, please contact OSFAS@uky.edu for more information.

Federal SEOG is federal gift assistance normally awarded to full-time students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) that is zero or less and who are Pell Grant recipients. Baccalaureate degree holders are not eligible for Federal SEOG Grants. Most awards are $500 per year. 

A CAP Grant is state funded gift assistance awarded by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance (KHEAA). You will receive official notification directly from KHEAA regarding the amount for which you are eligible and the campus where the grant may be used. This award may not exceed your need. Baccalaureate degree holders are not eligible for CAP Grants. For current maximum and minimum award amounts, visit KHEAA. 

A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is different from other federal student grants because it requires you to agree to complete a teaching service obligation as a condition for receiving the grant, and if you don't complete the service obligation, the TEACH Grant will be converted to a loan that you must repay, with interest.

TEACH Grant-Eligible Programs

A TEACH Grant-eligible program is a program of study that is designed to prepare you to teach in a high-need field and that leads to a bachelor’s or master’s degree or is a postbaccalaureate program. A two-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor’s degree is considered a program that leads to a bachelor’s degree. A postbaccalaureate program is not TEACH Grant-eligible if it is offered by a school that also offers a bachelor’s degree in education.

In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to

• serve as a full-time teacher for four elementary or secondary school years at a school or educational service agency (ESA) that serves low-income students;
• meet all state certification requirements for teaching;
• teach in a high-need field; and
• complete the required four years of teaching within eight years after you graduate from or otherwise cease to be enrolled at the institution of higher education where you received your TEACH Grants.

If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, all TEACH Grants you received will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You must repay these loans in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.