2007-08
First Generation Matching Grant Program
Fact Sheet

Florida Statutes 1009.701

Program Description
The First Generation Matching Grant Program (FGMG) is a need-based grant program available to degree-seeking, resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need, are enrolled in participating postsecondary institutions, and whose parents have not earned baccalaureate or higher degrees.  Available state funds are contingent upon matching contributions from private sources on a one to one dollar basis.  FGMG is a state of Florida decentralized program, which means that each participating institution determines application procedures, deadlines, and student eligibility.

What are the Initial Eligibility Requirements to Receive Funding?
The student will:

• Be a Florida resident and a U.S. 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 owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made.
• Not have previously received a baccalaureate degree.
• Be accepted at a Florida state university or community college and enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours per term as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
• 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).

How Does a Student Apply?

• The student will demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to be processed error free by the deadline specified by the institution.
• The student will meet the application procedures established by the participating institution.  Applications may be obtained at the financial aid offices of eligible participating institutions.

How Does a Student Renew, Reinstate, or Restore?
A student should consult his/her postsecondary institution for renewal, reinstatement, or restoration requirements established by the institution.

What is the Award Process?

• The postsecondary institution shall rank all eligible applicants on the basis of financial need, determine the award amount for each recipient, and notify each student of his/her award.
• The award amount shall be based on the student's need assessment after any scholarship or grant aid, including, but not limited to, a Pell Grant or a Bright Futures Scholarship, has been applied.  An award may not exceed the institution's estimated annual cost of attendance for the student to attend the institution.

How Are Awards Disbursed? 
The postsecondary institution will disburse awards to eligible students each term.

How Long May a Student Receive Funding?
A student should consult his/her postsecondary institution for program length established by the institution.

How May a Student Appeal?
An applicant who believes financial aid has been wrongly denied has certain rights to appeal.

If aid is denied for failure to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements, an applicant may appeal the denial to the institution by providing proof of illness or other emergency beyond the applicant's control.  An institutional academic progress appeal is to be filed in writing within 30 days of the denial letter or by the date established by the institution's financial aid office, whichever is later.

How Does a Student Make Changes in Information?
An applicant must notify Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) of any change in name, address, or institution attended.  A student may update information in the following ways:

• By accessing and updating the student record on the OSFA Web site at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org, using the assigned User ID and PIN:
  • Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications,
  • select Application Status & Award History,
  • select Initial Student Update, and then the appropriate option.
• By calling OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.

Use of an Applicant’s Social Security Number/Non-discrimination Statement
The Privacy Act of 1974 requires state agencies to inform applicants of the reasons for requesting their Social Security numbers (SSN).  The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) requests an SSN on all applications for student financial assistance in order to correctly identify applicants, match each applicant's financial aid record with the student record at the postsecondary institution the applicant attends, and help coordinate state student aid programs with federal student aid programs.

An applicant will not be denied financial assistance for failure to disclose the SSN.  Without an SSN, correct identification of an applicant's record cannot be assured and may result in an error or a delay in the disbursement of an award.

Pursuant to Section 1000.05, Florida Statutes, state student financial assistance is provided to eligible applicants without discriminating on the basis of ethnicity, gender, national origin, marital status, or handicap.  Minority status will be considered when required by law as a condition of eligibility or selection.

For further information contact the financial aid office at eligible postsecondary institutions or OSFA, Suite 70, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32303-4759.  Contact OSFA toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.