Educational Supportive Services

Grant Aid

Each fall semester current ESS TRIO participants, who meet established criteria, will be notified they are eligible to apply for a Grant Aid award provided by the Department of Education and Kansas State University. Grant Aid is awarded in the spring semester. Award amounts may vary each year with a minimum amount of $650.

ESS students that meet the following qualifications will be emailed an application Nov. 2021.

  • Be an active ESS participant
  • Be receiving a Federal Pell Grant
  • Be in their first 2 years of post-secondary education (includes years enrolled at another 2 or 4 year institution following high school graduation)*
  • Have financial unmet need or loans as part of their financial aid award for 2021-2022

*Students in their 3rd year of post-secondary education who meet the other criteria may qualify but priority is given to 1st and 2nd year students.

After a review of applications, accepted students will be notified by email and must complete the following requirements in order to receive an award:

  • Schedule an initial Grant Aid meeting with your ESS Coordinator
  • Complete the PowerCat Financial College Financial Planning course. The course is a series of 3 one-hour meetings with a trained peer financial counselor.**
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA 2020 Fall semester or participate in Student Success Coaching with an ESS Coordinator during Spring 2021
  • Schedule a 2021 Spring meeting with your ESS Coordinator for follow-up

** This requirement applies only to 1st time Grant Aid applicants. Previous Grant Aid recipients will be required to set up a 1 hour meeting with a PowerCat Financial peer financial counselor to review last year's plan.