Grants are a gift award of money based upon financial need.

The only application necessary is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications are made available each January for the upcoming financial aid year, which begins with the summer term at EGCC. Students should file their application as soon as their (and their parents’, if applicable) tax information is available.

Completing the FAFSA online is very efficient and convenient. Students who do not have Internet access can apply for financial aid by obtaining the paper FAFSA form from the Financial Aid Office. Students mail the completed paper FAFSA to the federal processor.

The following steps should be taken when filing a FAFSA online:

1. Getting a FSA ID – Students and parents can save time by requesting their FSA ID before the student applies for aid. If you are considered a dependent student for financial aid purposes, at least one of your parents must also have a FSA ID. The FSA ID can be used to electronically sign the FAFSA, which drastically decreases processing time. To get your FSA ID, click here.
2. Once a student receives their FSA ID, the student can apply for financial aid by visiting the U.S. Department of Education financial aid website at https://studentaid.gov. Be sure to list EGCC’s Federal School Code 007275 to ensure that your information is sent to Eastern Gateway Community College. By completing this form, the student is applying for both federal and state grants. Students are encouraged to apply early for all grants, scholarships, and awards for which they may be eligible. This avoids untimely delays and ensures maximum award eligibility.

Click here to file your FAFSA

There is a distinct advantage to applying as early as possible.

Campus-Based Programs
The funds in these programs are awarded directly to the college to distribute among those students who demonstrate financial need. In order to qualify for these programs, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Funding for these programs is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) – The FSEOG is gift aid, which does not have to be repaid, for students demonstrating financial need. FSEOG awards must be targeted to exceptionally needy students with priority given to Pell Grant recipients.
• Federal Work Study (FWS) – This program allows students with demonstrated financial need, enrolled at least half time, to earn money at an on campus or off campus job to help pay for their educational expenses. Tutoring, mentoring and community service positions are also available. Part-time employment averaging 10-20 hours week is available for students on this program.

Federally Based Programs

• Federal Pell Grant – The Federal Pell Grant is gift aid, which does not have to be repaid. The grant is available to full and part time students. The U.S. Department of Education’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determines eligibility. For example, for the 2021-2022 aid year, Full-Time students who have an EFC between 0 and 5,846 may qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. The maximum Pell grant award for the 2021-2022 year is $6,495 (for a Full-Time student with a 0 EFC).

In order to participate in the following grants, students should contact the Financial Aid Office. The college will not discriminate in the administration of these programs against any individual on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or handicap. For these grants, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid must also be completed, and all federal grant financial aid (Pell, FSEOG) used before the following grants will be applied.

Institutionally Based Programs

• Horizon Grant — Eastern Gateway has established a tuition grant program for Jefferson County residents in their pursuit of higher education. The grant provides two years of tuition for graduates starting their studies at Eastern Gateway by the fall immediately following their graduation from state-chartered, public, and private schools, and approved home school programs. The high school graduate must be a Jefferson County resident and have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or better. The applicant must apply and use all federal and state financial aid before this grant. The grant will cover tuition charges for credit courses for four successive (full-time summer enrollment counts as one semester) semesters of full-time attendance, provided the student enrolls full time. The grant does not cover books, supplies, or lab fees. Full-time summer enrollment counts as one semester.
• Gateway Grant — Eastern Gateway offers a tuition grant program for residents of Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage and Trumbull Counties to help in their pursuit of higher education. Grants will be awarded to high school seniors applying to the college from state-chartered, public, and private high schools, and approved home school programs. The high school graduate must be a Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage or Trumbull County resident and have a cumulative final high school grade point average of 2.5 or better. Also, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid must also be completed, and all federal grant financial aid (Pell, FSEOG) used before the Gateway Grant will be applied. The grant will cover tuition charges (instructional, general and surcharge fees) for credit courses for four successive semesters of attendance, provided the student enrolls full time starting with the fall immediately after high school graduation. The grant does not cover books, supplies, lab/materials or technology fees. Students must apply for and use, if eligible, all federal financial aid sources before these grants will be applied. If financial aid covers all tuition costs, these grants will be not awarded. Students receiving these grants are subject to the same Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) as all other EGCC students. Refer to Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) in the financial aid section of the catalog. Once a student has one of these grants suspended, it cannot be appealed.