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First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG)
QUESTION AND ANSWERS

2012-13

First Generation Matching Grant Program for State Universities and Florida Colleges (Public Community Colleges)

1. What is the First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG)?

The Florida Legislature created Section 1009.701, Florida Statutes, the First Generation Matching Grant Program available to Florida public state universities. In 2007 the Florida Legislature expanded participation to the Florida colleges (public community colleges). FGMG is a need-based program providing financial aid to Florida undergraduate residents who demonstrate financial need and whose parents have not earned a baccalaureate degree.

2. What are student qualifications?

The eligible student will:

Be a Florida resident and eligible United States citizen or eligible non citizen. A student’s residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution. Questions regarding such status should be directed to the financial aid office or admissions office of the institution the student plans to attend.

Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree.

Be accepted at a Florida state university or Florida college (public community college) and enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours per term as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.

Meet the eligibility requirements in Section 1009.50, Florida Statutes, for demonstrated financial need for the Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program.
Meet additional eligibility requirements as established by the postsecondary institution.
Be a first generation college student. A student is considered "first generation" if neither of the student’s parents earned a college degree at the baccalaureate level or higher. A student would also be eligible if he/she regularly resided with and received support from only one parent who did not earn a baccalaureate degree.
Have demonstrated financial need by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to be processed error free by the deadline specified by the institution.

3. What is the award amount?

The award amount shall not exceed the student’s unmet financial need. Unmet financial need is derived from the cost of attendance (COA) minus the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and any other grants and scholarships the student is receiving.

4. What is Cost Of Attendance (COA)?

The COA is an estimate of how much money will be required to attend school for one year at a college, including all reasonable expenses. The COA is determined for each student by the postsecondary institution and may include:

Tuition and fees
Books, supplies, transportation, personal, misc.
Room and board
Dependent care
Study abroad expenses
Disability expenses
Employment expenses for co-op study
Loan fees

5. Which Florida postsecondary institutions are eligible to provide student funding for this program?

The 11 Florida public state universities and the 28 Florida colleges (public community colleges) are eligible. Please see the Board of Governor’s State University System of Florida homepage at www.flbog.org/aboutsus/universities/ for a listing of Florida public state universities and the Division of Florida Colleges homepage at www.fldoe.org/cc/colleges.asp for a listing of Florida colleges (public community colleges).

6. Are students who are enrolled in an associate degree program at a four year institution eligible to receive the First Generation Matching Grant Program?

Yes, if a student is classified as an undergraduate degree-seeking student at a Florida public state university or Florida college (public community college) and meets all other eligibility requirements to receive funding.

7. If a student’s non-custodial parent has earned a degree, would the student be eligible for this program?

In the case of a student who resides with and receives support from only one parent, an applicant whose only such parent did not complete a baccalaureate degree, and met all other eligibility requirements, may be eligible to receive funding.

8. Is the student eligible for an award from the First Generation Matching Grant Program if the student lives with a grandparent?

Section 1009.21(1), Florida Statutes, defines a parent as the natural or adoptive parent or legal guardian of a dependent child. If the grandparent is the legal guardian and has not received a baccalaureate degree, and the student meets all other eligibility requirements, then the student may be eligible for an award.

9. Must students apply for the First Generation Matching Grant immediately after high school?

Florida Statutes allows each institution to establish additional requirements for student eligibility. Contact financial aid offices at eligible institutions to determine if currently enrolled or non-traditional students may apply for this program.

10. What does the word "matching" mean in First Generation Matching Grant Program?

The Florida Legislature appropriated state funds to match institution private donations on a dollar for dollar basis for Florida public state universities and Florida colleges (public community colleges). Students are not required to match funds, but rather meet eligibility requirements listed in Question #2, What are student qualifications?

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§ Date Last Modified: 6/7/2012 9:43:45 AM

First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG) QUESTION AND ANSWERS