Grant Information
Covenant Grant
Covenant Grants are awarded to full-time students who are members of Brethren in Christ churches or other denominations which support the Parish Grant Program. An application is required and is available from the Messiah College Admissions or Financial Aid offices. The amount of the Covenant Grant is $500 per school year. A travel allowance, ranging in amounts of $75 to $300, is available to non-Pennsylvania residents who also qualify for the Covenant Grant.
Federal Pell Grant
To be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and high financial need must be demonstrated. Eligibility is determined by the federal formula, not by Messiah College. Pell Grant amounts may range from $976 to $5350 (for 2009/2010 year).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
To be eligible for the SEOG students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and exceptional financial need must be demonstrated. The SEOG must be awarded by financial need ranking. The Financial Aid staff has very little discretion in selecting recipients. These grants are funded by the federal government. The grants are normally in the amount of $1000 per school year at Messiah College.
Martin Multicultural Grant
An application is required and candidates are selected from the pool of Lloyd and Lois Martin Scholarship applicants who have submitted their completed application for admission on or before February 15th as well as a Martin’s Scholarship application. The Martin Multicultural Grant is available to students who show significant leadership, service, or ministry involvement in their high schools, churches, or local communities, and a record of promoting racial/ethnic diversity and reconciliation. If awarded this grant, the student must maintain a GPA of 2.8 each academic year (fall and spring semesters combined) in order to receive the grant for the following year. The amount of this grant can range from $500 to $10,000 per school year.
Messiah College Grant
Messiah College Grants are awarded to students based on need and/or academic ability. The amounts of these scholarships range between $500 and $12,000 each year. The results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are required in order to determine eligibility for the Messiah College Grant.
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency Grant (PHEAA)
PHEAA grants are awarded to students who are a Pennsylvania resident, demonstrate financial need and are at least a half-time student. Students must file the FAFSA and grant eligibility is determined by PHEAA, not Messiah College. The amount of the PHEAA grant may range from $500 to $4120 (as of 2009-2010 year) and may by awarded for a maximum of eight semesters.
Non-PA State Grant
Most states use the FAFSA application to determine if a student is eligible for their state grant. Financial need must be demonstrated in most states and residency requirements may vary as well as the dollar amounts. CT, DE, MA, ME, OH, RI, VT, WV, and the District of Columbia allow state grants to be used at Pennsylvania colleges. Application forms are available in all high school guidance offices.
Academic Competitiveness Grant
The FAFSA results are required in order for a student to be considered eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG). Other requirements for the ACG are that a student must be a first or second year student who is also a Federal Pell Grant recipient and has completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (as certified by their high school or supported by their high school transcript). The annual amount of the ACG is $750 for the first year of study and $1300 for the second year. The student must achieve a 3.0 grade point average in the first year in order to receive the grant for the second year.
National SMART Grant
The FAFSA results are required in order for a student to be considered eligible for the National SMART Grant (SMART). Other requirements for the SMART grant are that a student must be a third or fourth year student who is also a Federal Pell Grant recipient and is majoring in physical, life or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language. The annual amount of the SMART grant is $4000 for each of the third and fourth academic years of study. The recipients must have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average in the coursework required for their major.
Summer Missions Grant
The intent of the Summer Missions Grants is to provide financial assistance for Messiah College students who give up a summer work opportunity to participate in a summer mission project and who would consider a summer missions assignment if they did not have to work during the summer to earn money to help meet the cost of attending Messiah College the following year. For more information on the Summer Missions Grant, please contact the Office of the Director of Campus Ministries.
