College of Arts & Sciences

Grants

Grants are a type of gift aid (i.e., they do not need to be repaid). Most grants are given on the basis of financial need. Students who wish to be considered for grants must complete the Bethel University Financial Aid Application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Grants

Academic Competitiveness Grant

Amount: Maximum of $750 for first-year students; $1,300 for second-year students.
Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens; Federal Pell Grant recipients; enrolled full time in a two-year or four-year degree program; and have graduated from high school with a "rigorous academic program" after January 1, 2006. Second-year students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00. See the Federal Student Aid Academic Competitiveness Grant webpage for more detailed information regarding this grant.
Comments: Apply using FAFSA. Potential recipients will be contacted by the financial aid office and asked to confirm that they completed a rigorous academic program in high school.

Federal Pell Grant

Amount: $609-$5,350 (in 2009-2010)
Eligibility: Government entitlement program awarded to students with the highest need.
Comments: Apply using FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Amount: $100-$4,000
Eligibility: High-need students without adequate funding from other government grant programs.
Comments: Must demonstrate need.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant

Amount: Maximum of $4,000 per year for third- and fourth-year students.
Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens; Federal Pell Grant recipients; and enrolled full time in an eligible four-year degree program (specific majors in computer science, engineering, foreign language, life sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, and technology). Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and must be taking at least one class required for their major during each term they receive the SMART grant. See the Federal Student Aid National SMART Grant webpage for more detailed information regarding this grant.
Comments: Apply using FAFSA.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

Amount: Up to $4,000 per year.
Eligibility: Eligible students who plan on being a teacher. Recipients must serve as a full-time, highly qualified teacher in a high-need field, in a school serving low-income students for a minimum of four years within eight years of completing their course of study or this grant reverts to an Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan.
Comments: Apply using FAFSA. Students must complete an Agreement to Serve and entrance counseling each year they receive a TEACH Grant. Go to www.teach-ats.ed.gov for a TEACH Fact Sheet, FAQ, and to complete the Agreement to Serve.

See Bethel's TEACH Grant webpage for more information.

Minnesota Grants

Minnesota GI Bill Program

Amount: Full-time students may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 per term, and part-time students can receive up to $500 per term.
Eligibility: Provides financial assistance to Minnesota veterans and service members who served on or after September 11, 2001. Must also complete the online Minnesota GI Bill Application and notify the financial aid office at finaid@bethel.edu that the online application has been submitted.
Comments: See the Minnesota GI Bill website for more detailed information regarding this program or call the Minnesota Office of Higher Education at 651.642.0675.

Minnesota State Grant

Amount: $100-$9,444 (in 2009-2010)
Eligibility: Awarded by the State of Minnesota to residents who demonstrate sufficient need.
Deadline: Your FAFSA must be received by the federal application processing center no later than 30 calendar days after the start of the term. Students who miss this deadline must wait until the next term to receive a Minnesota State Grant.
Comments: Must take 15 credits per term to receive full-time grant amount. Lesser credit load will cause a reduced award. See the Minnesota State Grants webpage for more detailed information regarding this grant.

Charles and Ellora Alliss Foundation Grant

Amount: $500-$2,400
Eligibility: Students ranking in top 40 percent of class. Recipients must give permission for their data to be reported to the foundation.
Comments: Must demonstrate need.

Bethel Grants

Bethel Campus Housing Grant

Amount: Up to $1,000 per year.
Eligibility: Students living in campus housing (includes Fountain Terrace) without adequate funding from other grants.
Comments: Must demonstrate need.

Bethel Grant

Amount: Up to $10,000 per year.
Eligibility: Students without adequate funding from other grants.
Comments: Must demonstrate need.

Bethel Opportunity Grant

Amount: Up to $8,000 per year.
Eligibility: Recipients must be full-time, degree-seeking students. Targeted aid for under-served students including students of color; first-generation college students (neither parent earned an associate's degree or higher); or residents of economically disadvantaged communities.
Comments: Renewable if full time and in good standing. Amount varies each year based on need and other gift aid.

Canadian Student Grant

Amount: Up to $6,000 per year.
Eligibility: Recipients must be Canadian citizens living in Canada (not eligible for U.S. government aid) and enrolled full time. The Canadian Student Grant is offered in lieu of the Bethel Grant, International Student Grant, and Bethel Opportunity Grant.
Comments: Offered to help offset concerns with the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar. Renewable for up to three additional years if full time without a bachelor's degree.

International Student Grant

Amount: Up to $3,000.
Eligibility: Citizens of countries other than the U.S. or Canada who have support to cover most, but not all, of their Bethel expenses. 
Comments: Apply through the Bethel Office of Admissions using the Certificate of Finances form. International students may also be considered for appropriate merit awards.

Transfer Campus Housing Grant

Amount: $500-$2,000
Eligibility: Awarded to a limited number of transfer students with at least one year of post-high school college experience. Must be full time and demonstrate need.
Comments: Amount varies each year depending on need, other gift aid, and campus housing.