Grants for Undergraduates
What You Need to Know
Students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible to receive a portion of their need in non-repayable grants assistance. Generally, grant amounts are based on need, school costs and enrollment status. The first step to determining your eligibility is to file the FAFSA by the specified deadline.
Awards may or may not be renewable so be sure to note whether they are and make sure you meet the requirements each year. Also, you'll need to notify the Office of Financial Aid of any external grants you receive. Such awards are counted as a resource and may reduce your eligibility for other need-based aid.
Types of Grants
Although the majority of University-funded aid is in the form of scholarships, limited funds may be available in the form of grants for students who demonstrate high financial need. Only on-time FAFSA filers are considered for these programs.
These funds are generally used to help bridge the gap for our neediest students. Amounts vary and are determined each year using the FAFSA results:
- President's Special Grant
- Forever Flyer Grant
Supported by the Student Government Association (SGA), students can be considered for Student Engagement Grants. This grant funding is intended to support students with financial need who may have financial barriers that prevent them from participating in UD clubs/organizations.
SGA knows that students who fully engage in the University of Dayton community have a more fulfilling student experience. With these funds, SGA wants students to worry less about the cost of an organization and instead be able to participate in these activities, helping students learn, lead, and grow within the many facets of our institution.
Fall applications are open after ‘Up the Orgs’ and will be available for a two week period of consideration. Spring applications are open on the first day of the Spring semester and will be available for a two week period of consideration.
The Spring Application is available until January 22nd.
Federal grants are designed to assist the country's neediest students. Your eligibility for the programs listed below will be determined after reviewing your FAFSA results.
Pell Grant
This grant is awarded to students with the highest level of financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
These campus-based funds are to be awarded to students who demonstrate the highest financial need. Students must meet the University's FAFSA priority filing date each year for consideration.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
This grant is valued at up to $4,000* per year and can be used by students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. First-year students are typically not eligible for this grant. If, after reading all of the information on the TEACH fact sheet (.pdf), you are interested in obtaining the TEACH Grant, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Depending on the availability of state funding, you may be eligible to receive grants from your state of residency. Currently we honor grants awarded to students from Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
We recommend you contact your state's higher education agency to determine what grants your state may offer its residents and how to apply.
Ohio Grants
Begin the search by checking with your high school counselor or library for local opportunities. Next, check with your parents' employers to see if they offer any dependent of employee scholarships. Also, check with your church and any other organizations to which you or your parents are members.
When you have exhausted the local scholarship opportunities, you may want to use one of the many free scholarship/grant search services on the Internet. These use a personalized search to compare your profile with a database of awards. You are then encouraged to apply for those which match your profile. And remember, notify us of any scholarship you receive.
Beware of those searches that charge you a fee — it may be a scam!
