Get the 411 on government grants.

Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. (A professional degree would include a degree in a field such as pharmacy or dentistry.) For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added. You apply for a Federal Pell Grant through your FAFSA and do not have to pay it back.

To determine if you’re eligible, the U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the information you report when you apply. The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) dollar amount. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) contains this number and will tell you if you’re eligible.

The maximum award is determined annually by Congress. Currently, the maximum award is $5,920 per academic year for a full-time student. How much you get will depend not only on your EFC, but also on your cost of attendance, whether you’re a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less.

During the 2012-13 academic year, Congress changed the law to reduce the duration of a student’s eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant to 12 full-time semesters (or its equivalent). The calculation of the duration of a student’s eligibility will include the total number of years the student receives Federal Pell Grant funding, regardless of when they first received a Pell Grant award.

MCC will credit the Pell Grant funds to your account.

Yes, if you’re otherwise eligible. The amount of the grant will be prorated based on your enrollment. If you’re enrolled half-time and your courses are required for your degree, you’d receive half the amount that you’d receive as a full-time student.

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for MCC students with exceptional financial need – that is, students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) – and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. You apply for the FSEOG through your FAFSA and do not have to pay it back.

The U.S. Department of Education guarantees that each participating school will receive enough money to pay the Federal Pell Grants of its eligible students. There’s no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive an FSEOG; students at each school may be awarded an FSEOG based on the availability of funds at that school.

The federal maximum amount is $4,000 per year, but MCC students typically receive lower amounts ranging from $400 to $600 per semester.

MCC will credit your account.

The New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is a financial aid grant for students meeting residence, income, academic, or other requirements, as established by state law.

When you complete your FAFSA online, you’ll be given a link on the FAFSA website, so you can complete the NYS Express TAP Application (ETA). If you fill out a paper FAFSA, you’ll be sent your ETA by mail.

Upon completion of the ETA, you’ll be notified by HESC of your award. Although an estimate of your eligibility may be included on your MCC award letter, you should be aware that notification from HESC is your official TAP award. MCC will certify your academic eligibility before your TAP award is applied to your account.

TAP awards range from $500 to the full in-state tuition rate at MCC. A TAP award cannot exceed tuition charges.

MCC will credit your account.