Financial Aid
Grants for College Students
Federal grants are a type of financial aid and considered “free money” since they do not have to be repaid.* Since grants for college students are primarily awarded based on financial need, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers a variety of federal grants to meet the demand.
The gateway to applying for grants for college, student loans and other financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form. Students who plan to attend four-year colleges or universities, community colleges or career schools are encouraged to complete the FAFSA to see if they qualify. Here are the types of grants for college students that are available and the annual award amount for each:
Apply for FAFSA
Renew your FAFSA Form
Federal Deadlines
2025–26 Academic Year
The FAFSA form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2026. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 12, 2026.
2026–27 Academic Year
The FAFSA form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30, 2027. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept. 11, 2027.
Even though these are the federal deadlines, we recommend students file as soon as they can after the opening of the FAFSA each year on October 1. Please note, just because June 30th is the cutoff date, there are some funds that cannot be processed after the last day of class, such as federal student loans. Also, there are certain funds that are “first come first serve,” so it’s important that students do their FAFSA as soon as possible.
Federal Grants for College Students
This grant is provided by the federal government to matriculated students who meet the financial need requirements, are in good academic standing, and are making satisfactory academic progress. (Note: Students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible to receive a Pell Grant.)
Annual awards range up to $7,395* for the 2025-26 award year (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026), depending on your:
- The cost of attendance (determined by your school for your specific program)
- Your status as a full-time or part-time student.
- Your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
Students may receive Pell Grant awards during the summer semester, but this eligibility is dependent upon their fall and spring enrollment. Students enrolled full-time for the fall and spring semesters will need to be enrolled in at least 6 hours to be eligible for a Pell Grant for the Summer semester. If a student was enrolled part-time for either the fall or the spring semester, student may be enrolled in less than 6 hours to be eligible for a summer Pell Grant.
(Amounts can change yearly.)
*Source: Federal Student Aid―An Office of the U.S. Department of Education
These grants for college students are awarded to those with significant financial aid needs as determined by the financial aid office. To receive an FSEOG grant, (more commonly known as SEOG) students must be PELL recipients. Priority is given to students with the lowest expected family contributions (EFC).
Annual award range: $200 to $4,000.
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) provides jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Students participating in the Federal Work-Study Program must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. To be considered for the federal work study program, applicants should be sure to check YES to the “interested in federal work study” question on the FAFSA.
Annual award ranges: Determined after filing FAFSA.
New York State Grants
These grants are offered to New York State residents only.
Awarded to students who are New York State residents, enrolled full-time, and in good academic standing and are based on New York State net taxable income. Students must complete the FAFSA and TAP application forms by logging on to www.studentaid.gov. New York State (NYS) residents attending NYS schools can link directly to the TAP application from the FAFSA submission confirmation page.
Annual award range: up to $5,665.
Vaughn State Code 2235
Welcome to the New York State Student Aid Payment Application! This online application process allows you to apply for New York State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), as well as for payment of a scholarship for which you have already been approved.
- 2025-26 June 30, 2025
The TAP Application MUST be completed, signed, and postmarked by June 30, 2023, in order to receive a TAP award!
- 2026-27 June 30, 2027
The TAP Application MUST be completed, signed, and postmarked by June 30, 2027, in order to receive a TAP award!
Since 2017, Vaughn College has proudly participated in the New York State Enhanced Tuition Awards program. The program was created to provide private colleges and universities with additional means to support their students whose goal is to graduate with an associate degree in two years, or a bachelor’s degree in four years. Eligibility for these awards is limited, and recipients will be selected by New York State’s Higher Education Services Corporation. For detailed information, including how to fill out the application, click here.
Annual award range: up to $6,000.
The APTS application is filed in the financial aid office. This program has the same eligibility criteria as TAP but is for students who are enrolled for 6 to 11 credits. The APTS application is filed in the financial aid office.
To be eligible for an APTS award, a student must:
- Not have exhausted Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) eligibility.
- Be registered for 3 to 11 credits.
Annual award range: up to $1,000 per semester.
In addition to the general eligibility criteria that apply to all State award programs, certain requirements are specific to the Part-time TAP program. To be eligible, students must:
- Be matriculated and enrolled in an approved undergraduate program
- Be enrolled for at least 6 but fewer than 12 semester hour credits
- Have earned 12 credits in each of two consecutive prior semesters (credits from New York State not-for-profit institutions only); a full-time summer term can be used to meet the prior study requirement
- Maintain a C average and meet good academic standing requirements
- Meet income eligibility limitations (income limits are the same as for TAP)
A student must meet the 24-semester credit prior study requirement only once to be eligible for Part-time TAP.
Please contact the financial aid office for more information. Students must also complete the FAFSA and TAP application forms by logging on to www.studentaid.gov.
Institutional Aid
These funds are used in awarding financial assistance to new and continuing students who are enrolled in our bachelor’s or associate degree programs on a full-time basis. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients and students with the lowest eligibility index:
- Recipients are selected on the basis of their academic performance and financial need.
- Awards are designated for a specific academic year and are renewable each semester based on satisfactory academic performance and the availability of funds.
- Recipients must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Note: Certain circumstances may require that either a portion or all of the grant be repaid if the student withdraws before completing an enrollment period.
Have questions about financial aid?
How to reach us:
Phone: 1. 866.6VAUGHN, extension 100
Email: financialaid@vaughn.edu
When to see us:
Financial Aid Office Hours
- In person office hours: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Zoom Meeting ID: 678 686 441
- The Financial Aid Zoom Room Hours:
- Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters
- The Financial Aid Zoom Room Hours: