State Grants for College Students

Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP).
The LEAP program provides grants to students who have demonstrated financial need. You must be an Arizona resident attending as either a full-time or half-time undergraduate or graduate student who can demonstrate financial need. LEAP awards do not have to be repaid.

A Cal Grant is money for college you do not have to pay back. To qualify, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the deadline and meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California.
For more information, please visit: California Student Aid Commission

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes three lottery-funded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. The link above will give you specific requirements for each program. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is comprised of the following three awards:

• Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS)
  Students must earn a 3.5 Florida Bright Futures weighted GPA in 15 required college preparatory courses, a best composite score of 1270 SAT or 28 ACT and complete 75 approved community service hours for consideration. The Florida Academic Top Scholars (ATS) award is bestowed upon the Florida Academic Scholar with the highest academic ranking in each county, based on the product of their Bright Futures' grade point average and composite SAT, or equivalent ACT test scores.
• Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship (GSV)
  This renewable scholarship program recognizes and rewards excellence for academic achievement and vocational preparation. Applications are submitted during the last year of high school and annually thereafter.
• Florida Medallion (Merit) Scholars Award (FMS)
  For Florida residents who have earned a best composite score of 970 on the SAT or 20 on the ACT.

Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
This is a need-based program available to degree-seeking Florida undergraduate students. Each participating institution determines application deadlines, student eligibility and award amounts.

Georgia HOPE Scholarship
This scholarship program rewards students with financial assistance in degree, diploma and certificate programs. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six hours).

Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant
This program provides grant aid to Georgia residents who attend eligible independent colleges and universities in Georgia. Recipient must be a Georgia resident and a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident enrolled full time (12 hours or more) in an undergraduate degree program.

Illinois Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers
The spouse and children of Illinois police or fire officers killed or at least 90% disabled in the line of duty may be eligible for grant assistance to meet college tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate or graduate study at Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)-approved Illinois colleges and universities. Beneficiaries may receive the equivalent of eight semesters of assistance. Applications and additional information are available from ISAC.

Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant
The Monetary Award Program (MAP) provides grants, which do not need to be repaid, for undergraduate Illinois students who meet the eligibility criteria. To receive a MAP grant, students must demonstrate financial need.

New Jersey NJCLASS Loan
The New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students (NJCLASS) are fixed rate loans used by thousands of students each year to help pay their college education costs.

New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant (TAG)
New Jersey's Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) program is one of the nation's largest financial aid programs. The program offers sizeable awards to attend in-state private institutions. Eligibility for TAG is determined by a review of many factors, such as family income and assets, family size and the number in college. Cost of attendance is also taken into consideration.

New Jersey Urban Scholars
Additional high achieving students attending public secondary schools in the State's urban and economically distressed areas may be selected as Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars under funding provided through the Urban Scholars Program. Students who rank in the top 10% of their class and have a grade point average of at least 3.0 out of 4.0 at the end of their junior year are considered for Urban Scholar awards. Scholarships are annually awarded without regard to financial need.

New York State Scholarships for Academic Excellence
 Scholarships for Academic Excellence provide scholarship assistance to outstanding New York State high school graduates. Funds are available for up to five years of undergraduate study in New York State. Students must be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more).

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps eligible New York residents attending in-state postsecondary institutions pay for tuition. Students must be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more). TAP is a grant that does not have to be repaid.

Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG)
 The Ohio Department of Higher Education administers the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) program, which provides grant money to Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need (as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that should be completed) who are enrolled at Ohio public colleges or universities, Ohio private, non-profit colleges or universities and Ohio private, for-profit institutions.

Ohio War Orphans Scholarship Program
The Ohio War Orphans Scholarship Program awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict. Scholarship benefits cover most instructional and general fee charge. Application deadline is July 1 each year.

Ohio National Guard Scholarship
The Ohio Army National Guard Scholarship program pays 100 percent of tuition and general fees at state universities or the equivalent amount at private institutions for members of the Ohio National Guard. The scholarship encourages young Ohioans to go to school in Ohio and serve in the Ohio National Guard.

Pennsylvania State Grant
The State Grant Program provides grants to eligible Pennsylvania residents who are planning to attend at least half time at an approved school as undergraduate students.

Grants, scholarships, loans—there are many financial aid opportunities available for Vermonters. Explore the Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC) website for more information.