Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grants are available to students working on their first undergraduate degree. Teaching credential candidates who maintain half-time enrollment status (at least six units) at the fifth-year undergraduate level may also be eligible. Annual Pell Grant awards are affected by several factors, including an applicant's expected family contribution, enrollment period and enrollment units. Students cannot receive a Pell Grant for two schools during the same term.

Additionally, federal regulations limit the number of years that a student may receive a Federal Pell Grant. Students may only receive a Federal Pell Grant for the equivalent of 12 semesters or 6 years. This includes every year that a student received Federal Pell Grant funding, regardless of the institution attended. For more information, visit Student Aid on the Web.

Special note to credential students:

To receive a Pell Grant, you must be pursuing your first credential and remain enrolled in at least six units of coursework required for your credential completion. If you do not meet this requirement, your Pell Grant will be canceled, and you may be billed for the funds you received. The Financial Aid & Scholarship Department will review your class enrollment prior to the release of funds. This review may delay disbursement of funds.

Awarding Criteria and Amount:

• Based on need
• Amount of award can change yearly.  The amount you receive will depend on your financial need and your enrollment.
• The Amount offered for the Pell Grant is based on full-time enrollment (12 units).  The number of units in which you are actually enrolled may impact the amount of the grant you receive.  Review the chart below for details:

In some instances a student enrolled in less than 12 units may lose eligibility for his/her Pell Grant, as EFC’s in the higher end of the Pell range do not allow for less than full-time awards.

• Cannot receive for more than 12 full-time semesters
• All students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
• You will have to complete the FAFSA form every year you are in school in order to stay eligible for financial aid. Required application: FAFSA

Find out more about the federal Pell Grant by visiting the FATV page.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is awarded to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree who demonstrate exceptional financial need (Expected Family contribution of Zero $0), and enroll in at least six units. Awards are given on a first come, first served basis until funds are exhausted.   Due to limited funding availability, you must submit your FAFSA in early October as soon as the FAFSA is available to be considered for funding.  Each award year the priority filing deadline may change based on funds availability and applicant pool.

Awarding Criteria and Amount:

• Based on Expected Family Contribution of Zero
• Awarded to the earliest applicants until funds are exhausted
• Must be enrolled at least half-time
• Amount of award $500 for the award year
• Must be awarded a Federal Pell Grant
• All students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.
• You will have to complete the FAFSA form every year you are in school in order to stay eligible for financial aid.  Required application: FAFSA

Find out more about the FSEOG by visiting the FATV page.

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides up to $4,000 per year for Northridge students working on their teaching credential. Student must intend to teach high-need subject areas full time for at least four years at schools that serve low-income students. The teaching obligation must be met within eight years of completing the course of study associated with the TEACH Grant.

To qualify for a TEACH Grant, an applicant must also meet certain academic standards, such as a 3.25 cumulative GPA or a score above the 75th percentile on at least one post-baccalaureate school admissions test. Credential students may receive up to $16,000 from this grant. Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be reduced.

Please note: If you receive a TEACH Grant but do not complete the required teaching service, you will be required to repay the grant as a federal unsubsidized Stafford loan, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

For each year you receive a TEACH Grant, you must complete initial and subsequent counseling, electronically sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve, and complete the TEACH Grant Requirement Confirmation Form.

You must complete TEACH grant exit counseling when you graduate or withdraw from the school where you received your TEACH grant.

Award amount:

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching.

Due to sequestration, award amounts for any TEACH Grant that is first disbursed on or after October 1, 2021 and before October 1, 2022 must be reduced by 5.7 percent from the award amount for which the student would otherwise have been eligible.

For example:

For any 2021-22 TEACH Grant first disbursed on or after October 1, 2021 and before October 1, 2022 maximum award of $4000 is reduced by 5.7 percent ($228), resulting in a maximum award of $3,772.

The number of units in which you are actually enrolled may impact the amount of the grant you receive. 

Review the chart below for details
(Disbursed on or after October 1, 2021):

 For more information, visit Student Aid on the Web.

You may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if:

• You are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but
• meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and
• your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and
• you were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

Award Amount:

The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed your cost of attendance for that award year.  The Pell Grant award for the 2021-2022 award year is $6,495.

Due to sequestration, award amounts for any Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant that is first disbursed on or after October 1, 2021, and before October 1, 2022, must be reduced by 5.7 percent from the award amount for which a recipient would otherwise have been entitled.

For example:

For any 2021–22 Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant first disbursed on or after October 1, 2021, and before October 1, 2022, the maximum award of $6,495 is reduced by 5.7 percent ($371), resulting in a maximum award of $6124.

For more information, visit Student Aid on the Web