Arizona Student Grants for College

Fund Your Education with Free Grant Money

Federal financial aid programs, like Pell and FSEOG Grants provide deep pockets for needy college students, but individual states also provide their own student-aid resources for higher education.

Arizona officials confirm that 70% of the state’s student body is eligible to receive some type of higher education grant. Through partnerships with state institutions of higher education, Arizona administers financial aid through a variety of need- and merit-based programs for new, returning, transfer, graduate, and minority students.

How to Apply in Arizona

Individual Arizona college and university financial aid offices provide up-to-date information about available programs, and students are encouraged to inquire within specific academic departments for further information about subject-specific opportunities.

Whether federal or state, most grant programs require students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The standardized financial aid request uses family information to determine which programs are best suited for each applicant.  The FAFSA should be filed according to individual campus deadlines, since they are not always the same as federal filing requirements.  It should be noted that many of these grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, so filing the FAFSA as soon as possible after the first of the year is prudent.

Post-secondary Education Grant (PEG)

*  Important Notice:  The PEG program has been suspended, beginning with the 2013 school year.  This reference is maintained as a historical document, and in case the program begins accepting applications at a future date.

The Post-secondary Education Grant (PEG) offers financial support to encourage students to attend private four-year institutions in Arizona.  The funding is available for bachelor’s degree pursuits. The maximum amount paid to each student is $2,000 per year, and the funding may be renewed for up to four years.  Financial aid must be used for tuition, books and associated fees.

Priority students, or students who have received PEG grants in previous years, are considered first. Additional funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, to other qualified applicants. If participating students fulfill program requirements, this grant is treated like a forgivable loan. If the participant doesn’t obtain a bachelor’s degree within five years, however, the grant must be repaid.

Minimum Eligibility Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• Must be an Arizona resident for at least the 12 months prior to the completion of the application
• OR a member of the military service of the United States stationed in Arizona
• OR the spouse or dependent of a member of the military service of the United States stationed in Arizona.
• Students must be in the upper 50% of their high school class or have a 2.5 GPA, OR if 22 years of age or older, students must be able to meet their college’s readiness requirements.
• Students must enroll at least half-time at nationally or regionally accredited private post-secondary educational institutions in Arizona that offer bachelor’s programs.
• Must maintain satisfactory academic progress, according to institution standards.

To remain eligible for PEG funding, The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education each academic year.  Program participants must complete and submit a promissory note each year, as well. The note serves as a legal agreement between the student and the lender,  to pay back funds if conditions are not met.

Arizona Private Postsecondary Education Student Financial Assistance Program (PFAP)

*  Important Notice:  The PFAP program has been suspended, beginning with the 2013 school year.  This reference is maintained as a historical document, and in case the program begins accepting applications again, at a future date.

The Arizona Private Postsecondary Education Student Financial Assistance Program (PFAP) provides grants that are distributed based on financial need. These grants provide financial support to inspire community college graduates to continue into four-year private university programs.

The maximum amount paid to each qualified candidate is $1,500 – $2,000 per year, for up to two years.  Aid received is used to pay for tuition, books and fees. The need-based grant is considered a forgivable loan, provided that participants successfully fulfill the conditions of the grant. On the other hand, when bachelor’s degrees are not earned within three years, the funds must be repaid.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be resident of Arizona for at least 12 months prior to completing the application.
• Must be either a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• Must be a graduate of an Arizona public community college with an associate’s degree,
• Must attend a private institution that grants bachelor’s degrees in Arizona.
• Must be enrolled full time.
• Financial need is evident upon reviewing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Must maintain satisfactory academic achievement, according to the standards of the institution.

Requirement Details

If students meet the minimum qualifications for both the PFAP and PEG grant programs, they cannot accept funds from both grants at the same time. Under Arizona statutes, students should utilize funding from the PFAP grant program before accepting PEG grant funds.

• Students must complete and submit a promissory note each year.
• Students must be enrolled full time.

To remain eligible, The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education each academic year.

Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP)

*  The SLEAP is now administered under the Federal General Assistance Program.  The Partnerships provide funding from the Federal Government, which institutions use to assist individual students.

The Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP) program provides need-based awards for undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors who prove significant financial need.

Approved academic majors include Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM subjects), and any other educational programs that prepare students to work in fields that are considered to be critical to the support and benefit of the state. Students must attend regionally or nationally accredited institutions within the state of Arizona. The maximum award granted to each individual is $2,000 annually, and awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

These funds can be applied toward a range of educational expense, but the expenses must be documented in the Cost of Attendance (COA) report submitted to the institution.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• Must be an Arizona resident for at least the 12 months prior to application.
• Must be seeking an Associate’sr Bachelor’s degree.
• Students must enroll at least half-time at nationally or regionally accredited private post-secondary institutions in Arizona.
• Must maintain satisfactory academic achievement as determined by the institution.
• Significant financial need must be recognized upon review of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Requirement Details

Students must apply each year for this grant, as it is not automatically renewed.

Students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education each academic year.

The Arizona College Access Aid Program (ACAAP)

This grant is established through the Governor’s office, as part of the College Access Challenge Grant program. The grant targets Arizona students exhibiting high levels of financial need, and is offered to students enrolled in two- or four-year colleges.

To qualify, students must be seeking Associate’s or Bachelor’s degrees. Like many grants, funds are limited, so they are dispensed on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are free to apply for this grant along with the SLEAP grant, but due to funding limitations, each student will only be allowed to accept one of the awards. This grant doesn’t renew automatically, so students must reapply each year. Maximum funding is worth $2000 annually, and if the student is unsuccessful in obtaining a degree, this award must be repaid.

AzLEAP

Low income undergraduates benefit from partnerships between individual institutions, and the state of Arizona.  Maximum awards are valued at $2500 annually, but the average grant is worth around $1000.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be resident of Arizona.
• Must be either a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• Students must enroll at least as half-time students at a nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution in Arizona.
• Financial need must be present, based on FAFSA results
• Must maintain satisfactory academic achievement, according to institutional standards.

Participating institutions award AzLEAP Grants to undergraduates directly.

Early Graduation Scholarship Grant (EGSG)

*  Important Notice:  The EGSG program has been suspended, beginning with the 2013 school year.  This reference is maintained as a historical document, and in case the program begins accepting applications again, at a future date.

The Early Graduation Scholarship Grant (EGSG) program is not based on need, rather, it’s designed to reward high school students who graduate early, and then immediately attend regionally or nationally accredited post-secondary institutions in Arizona.

All students who graduate at least six months early, from public high schools or charter schools, and then immediately enroll full time at eligible post-secondary institutions in Arizona are eligible to apply for this grant. Students who graduate six months early are eligible to receive up to $1,500 each, and students who graduate one year early qualify for up to $2,000 each.

The funds are disbursed over two years, to be used for tuition, fees and book expenses.  These expenses must be documented by students in the Cost of Attendance (COA) report.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a resident of Arizona for at least 12 months prior to application.
• Must be either a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• Must graduate from a public high school or charter school in Arizona six months to one year earlier than normally expected.
• Must achieve passing grades on all required parts of the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS).
• Must enroll at least as a half-time student in a regionally or nationally accredited post-secondary institution, or vocational program in Arizona that lasts at least 8 months.
• Must maintain satisfactory academic achievement, according to institutional standards.

Requirement Details

This grant can be used at over 90 institutions in Arizona, including the three public universities, community colleges, private post-secondary institutions and vocational schools.  This grant can be combined with most other merit scholarship awards.

Other Types of State Education Aid

In addition to general grants and scholarships, Arizona also provides the following state funding for college education:

• Aid to Foster Children: Foster children who are no longer eligible to remain in foster care receive financial assistance from the state, to attend Arizona post-secondary institutions.
• The Arizona Friends of Foster Children’s Foundation (AFFCF): Provides additional higher education funding for current and former foster children.

In addition to guidance counselors and college financial aid offices, these resources provide assistance for Arizona college students seeking financial aid:

• ACPE: Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) maintains student financial assistance resources online.
• Arizona Department of Education: Current application forms and other relevant information concerning state-funded grants are found online. The forms can be downloaded or completed online.
• Arizona State Resources: another website offering a wealth of useful information on state-funded grants.