UWA offers a range of federal, state and other grant opportunities. Learn more about what you might qualify for.
Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant is a need-based financial aid awarded annually by the Federal Government. Pell Grants are gift aid and do not have to be repaid. Pell Grants often provide a foundation of support to which other aid may be added. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. The amount of a Pell Grant depends on the student’s financial need as calculated by the FAFSA and appropriations by the U.S. Congress. Not all students qualify to receive a Pell Grant. Lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 full-time semesters of study. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to apply.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. An FSEOG is a gift aid, which does not have to be repaid.
FSEOG is awarded to students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC) as calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must complete the FAFSA application each year to apply. FSEOG funds are limited and priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants and apply early. The FAFSA application is available beginning October 1 for the next fall semester.
Alabama Student Assistant Program (ASAP)
The Alabama Student Assistance Program is a need-based grant program funded by the federal government and the State of Alabama. It provides grant assistance to needy students who are residents of the State and who are in need of this additional financial help in order to further their education at UWA. The FAFSA serves as the application.
Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP)
The Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program was established in 1984 by the Alabama Legislature to provide financial assistance to Alabama National Guard members who are residents of Alabama for education at accredited postsecondary institutions within the state. Additional information and applications are available from the commander of each Alabama National Guard unit.
UWA TRIO SSS Grants
The UWA TRIO SSS (Student Support Services) program grants thousands in aid each academic year to eligible TRIO SSS Participants.
Learn more about the TRIO SSS program and how to apply
Federal TRIO SSS Grant Aid Requirements
CFR § 646.30 (i) Grant aid to eligible students who:
- Are in their first two years of postsecondary education and who are receiving Federal Pell Grants under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Act; or
- Have completed their first two years of postsecondary education and who are receiving Federal Pell Grants under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Act if the institution demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that:
- These students are at high risk of dropping out; and
- It will first meet the needs of all its eligible first- and second-year students for services under this paragraph.
General TRIO Information
TRIO Programs (Upward Bound and Talent Search) were first funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Student Support Services (originally Special Services) was created under the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1968, which resulted in the coining of the term TRiO (the small ‘i’ is used to indicate that the term is not an acronym even though it is usually spelled “TRIO” in all caps).
The family of federally-funded TRIO programs has since grown to seven with the addition of Educational Opportunity Centers, Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement, Upward Bound Math/Science, and Veterans Upward Bound.
Student Support Services (SSS) is a college-level TRIO program created to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and facilitate the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next. SSS provides a comprehensive range of academic and other support services to enhance students’ academic skills in order to help them reach their educational and career goals.
Approximately 1,000 community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities now offer TRIO SSS programs across America. TRIO funds are distributed to institutions through competitive grants sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education.
All program services are provided at no cost to participants.
Council for Opportunity in Education
The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) is a nonprofit organization, established in 1981, dedicated to furthering the expansion of educational opportunities throughout the United States. Through its numerous membership services, the Council works in conjunction with colleges, universities, and agencies that host TRIO Programs to specifically help low-income students enter college and graduate.
Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel
The Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (SAEOPP) is a non-profit organization of eight states whose members are involved in equal educational opportunity for disadvantaged individuals while advancing the ideals of student access, persistence, and completion of postsecondary education. SAEOPP is dedicated to supporting TRIO Personnel through professional development, education, and activism for TRIO. Our member states are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Alabama Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel
The Alabama Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (AAEOPP) is a non-profit organization designed to bring together into a work and study community those persons who have an active interest in or who are professionally involved in broadening accessibility to and success in formal postsecondary education.
Apply for the SSS Scholars Program
Contact Us
TRIO Student Support Services
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8 AM-12 PM and 1 PM-5 PM
Location
Administrative Offices: Foust Hall, Room 6
Tutoring Center: Foust Hall, Room 3
Computer Lab: Foust Hall, Room 2A
Fax
(205) 652-3401
Director, Andrea Farquhar, afarquhar@uwa.edu
Academic Coordinator, Daphne Bowden, dbowden@uwa.edu
Academic Counselor, Jessica Lotz, jlotz@uwa.edu
Mailing Address
UWA SSS
Station 17
Livingston, AL 35470