Financial Aid Changes Reinforce Need for Timely Degree Completion

Eligibility requirements for the State University Grant (SUG) have changed, making it more important than ever for students to develop and maintain a timely path toward graduation. SUG grants are need-based awards that help cover state tuition fees.

Effective this semester:

• Students are only eligible until they reach 150 total earned units

• Students must be enrolled at least half-time

• Students must be pursuing an initial degree or credential at any education level (students pursuing their second or subsequent bachelor's degree, master's degree, doctorate degree or credential, will not be eligible to receive a SUG award. Additionally, students in a stand-alone certificate program are not eligible to receive SUG.)

These new requirements follow changes in federal laws limiting the number of semesters students have to complete degrees before losing eligibility for Pell Grant financial aid.

Students who exceed these limits for SUG or Pell Grants face significant and possibly prohibitive escalation in their costs of attendance.