Federal Programs

Federal Pell Grant
The federal government funds this grant, and eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education. The maximum grant is $6095, depending upon the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the number of credit hours you are enrolled in. The Federal Pell Grant is limited to students who have not received a baccalaureate degree. A SAR (Student Aid Report) is sent to the student by the Federal Pell Grant Processor. An award notification is issued to eligible students by the District's Financial Aid Office. Students are eligible for Pell Grants for a maximum of the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters. 

Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility
The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited to the equivalent of six (full-time) years of Pell Grant funding.  Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%.

Log on to the U.S. Department of Education website for more detailed information regarding Lifetime Eligibility (LEU) here.

Stafford Federal Direct Student Loans
Federal Direct Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized Direct Loans. A subsidized loan is awarded based on financial need. You will not be charged any interest during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government “subsidizes” the interest during these periods. An unsubsidized loan is not awarded based on need. You will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. Suppose you allow the interest to accrue (accumulate) while you are in school or during other periods of nonpayment. In that case, it will be capitalized — that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan, and additional interest will be based on that higher amount. If your interest is capitalized, it will increase the amount you have to repay. You can choose to pay the interest as it accumulates; if so, you will repay less in the long run. For more information regarding Federal Direct Loans, click here.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This is a federal grant for undergraduates only. The District Financial Aid Office awards Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant funds. The amount of the grant is determined by the student's needs and the funds' availability. You must be enrolled in at least six credit hours to receive these funds and meet the eligibility requirements for Federal Student Aid programs.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)
This federally subsidized employment program employs students with demonstrated financial need who wish to earn part of their educational expenses. Students may work a maximum of thirty hours per week at Wayne County Community College District and are paid every two weeks. Students may also be placed in off-campus (non-college) jobs. Interested students must complete a renewal application, an electronic application, or the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid form. Contact the financial aid office for job placement assistance if the FWS award is indicated on your award letter.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
A student whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.
Additional Student Eligibility Requirements

- Must be ineligible for a Federal Pell Grant due only to having less financial need than is required to receive Pell funds and
- Be under 24 years old, or
- Enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death.

The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year – not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year.

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act
Under this scholarship, beginning with the 2018-19 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, you must be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible EFC (up to 5486 for the 2018-2019 award year), and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death. In subsequent award years, you continue to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as you have a Pell-eligible EFC and continue to be an eligible student.

For purposes of the Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship, a public safety officer is:

• As defined in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Sage Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b); or
• A fire police officer, is defined as an individual who is serving in accordance with State or local law as an officially recognized or designated member of a legally organized public safety agency and provides scene security or directs traffic in response to any fire drill, fire call, or other fire, rescue or police emergency, or at a planned special event.