Grants are awarded to students based on criteria set by the College, or in some cases, an external organization or foundation. Some are based on need, and others on merit. Some are based on both criteria. Federal and state governments are one source of grants, while there are other organizations that provide grants to qualified students.

Aquinas Grants
St. Thomas provides need-based grants to qualified students with the greatest financial needs. These awards range from $500-$2,500 and are reserved for students who have strong academic histories and a strong financial need. 

Federal Pell Grant
The federal government operates this program and the college is authorized to provide these funds to full-time and less than half-time matriculating students with exceptional need who have not completed a bachelor’s degree. Awards will range from $400 to $5,350 yearly. Total funding is based on congressional authorization. Grants are awarded based on financial need and educational costs. Students must maintain normal academic progress. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
This federal program is available to full-time matriculating students who have exceptional need. Awards range from $100 to $4,000 per academic year and are made based on financial need. The severity of the need ultimately determines the value of the FSEOG. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
This federal program is available to full-time matriculating students who are receiving a PELL Award; are U.S. citizens; are in their first or second year; have successfully completed a rigorous high school program after January 1, 2005; and second year students must have a 3.0 college grade point average or higher (4.0 scale). The College is responsible for researching student eligibility and St. Thomas reviews PELL student credentials to determine eligibility. Awards are for $750 per year for the first and second year.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (National SMART) Grant
This federal program is available to full-time matriculating students who are receiving a PELL Award; are U.S. citizens; are in their third or fourth year; be majoring in physical, life, or computer science, engineering, mathematics, technology, or a critical foreign language; are maintaining a 3.0 college grade point average or higher (4.0 scale). There are other restrictions that the College must refer to when researching student eligibility for this program. Awards are for $4,000 per year for the third and fourth year.

N.Y.S. Higher Ed Services Corp. (HESC) Program for Math and Science Teachers
This NYS HESC program is for students who wish to teach at the secondary level in either mathematics or the sciences. NYS HESC is offering a partial tuition scholarship of $4,995 per year for students who want to teach as outlined above, and in return, students sign a service contract which basically provides your agreement to teach at one of their list of schools. Students must apply separately and can visit that web site and find out more about the program at www.hesc.com.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Ed Grant (TEACH Grant)
This federal government TEACH Grant program provides up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students in low income families. The College can review its enrolled student base and make students aware of the program, but students must make contact with the federal government directly, since there is the requirement to teach at a designated school after graduation. More information can be found at www.studentaid.ed.gov

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
This program is for New York State residents whose NET family income is not over $85,000 and are matriculated full-time students. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 yearly. Students must apply directly to NYS and renew their application annually. Grants are awarded by NYS based on net family income. Students must maintain normal academic progress and achieve required grades each semester. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The U.S. Department of Education will forward the information to the N.Y.S. HESC and they will produce an Estimated TAP Award for you to complete and return to NYSHESC.

Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
This program is for NYS residents admitted to the College through the HEOP program. Students must meet the criteria of the program which is that they would not normally be admitted under regular academic decision guidelines (this criteria can change from college to college); and they must meet the financial criteria established by the NYS HEOP Office (this criteria does not change from college to college). The grant awards vary, according to need and available funds, but the students that are accepted into the program typically receive a very high percentage of their tuition costs covered through grants as commuter students and a high percentage of their room and board charges covered through grants as resident students. The College accepts a limited number of students into this program, since the college also subsidizes each student in the program. Students typically receive PELL, SEOG, NYS TAP, NYS HEOP, and College support. Students must apply early for this program and the College's HEOP Office will determine their eligibility after the college application is completed. Students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and should do so earlier in the year.