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Understanding your grants
Grants are money to help pay for college that you don't have to repay. Unlike scholarships, which are usually merit-based, grants are typically awarded based on financial need. Grants come from the federal government, the state of New Hampshire, and UNH itself.
Grants are one part of a single financial aid offer you'll see after completing the FAFSA. Whether you're eligible for a grant, and how much, depends on your Student Aid Index (SAI) and your total cost of attendance.
Most federal and New Hampshire state grants are available only to undergraduate students who haven't yet earned a bachelor's degree. If you're a graduate or professional student — including students at Franklin Pierce School of Law or in a UNH graduate program — federal and state grants generally don't apply to you; assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships are typically your primary sources of gift aid instead.
Looking for merit-based scholarships? Visit our scholarships page instead — this page covers need-based grants only.
Federal grant programs
Federal grants are provided by the U.S. Department of Education and don't need to be repaid. You apply by completing the FAFSA.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Available to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, with priority given to Pell Grant recipients with the lowest SAI. Awards are limited and not guaranteed to every eligible student, since funding depends on UNH's annual federal allocation.
New Hampshire state grant programs
New Hampshire offers additional grant programs for eligible resident students. For more information, contact the state's postsecondary or higher education commission directly.
NH Governor's Scholarship
For NH residents who are first-time college students, Pell-eligible, and enrolling full-time in a degree program. Students with the NH Scholars designation may be eligible for a higher award. Renewable for up to four years for bachelor's degree students, two years for associate degree students, based on GPA and continued eligibility.
UNIQUE Endowment
For NH residents who are Pell-eligible, enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program, and haven't yet earned a bachelor's degree. Helps cover the gap between direct costs and other grants or waivers. Award amount may change based on your enrollment status at each semester's Pell recalculation date.
UNH grant programs
These UNH-funded grants are determined automatically as part of your financial aid offer based on your FAFSA — there's no separate application. Check your aid offer in Webcat to see if you've been awarded one.
UNH Resident & Non-Resident Tuition Grants
Need-based funds for undergraduate students, awarded by UNH. Amounts can change year to year based on changes in your family's financial circumstances.
University Opportunity Grants
Need-based awards for incoming first-year students who demonstrate, through their admission application materials, an appreciation for the value of diversity in our campus community.
If you're a College of Professional Studies Online student
CPS Online administers its own Federal Pell Grant and FSEOG awards directly, with FSEOG capped at $200 per semester ($600 per year). NH Governor's Scholarship and UNIQUE Endowment/Allocation are also available to eligible CPS Online students under the same statewide criteria above.
Questions about either of these? Contact your financial aid office.