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.
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?