Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants | Federal Student Aid

If your parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan, you may be eligible for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants

Like other federal grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants provide money to college or career school students to help pay their education expenses. However, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants have special eligibility criteria.

Learn how the automatic federal budget cuts, known as the “sequester,” will affect the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant Program.

Who can get an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant?
How much money can I get?
How will I get paid?

Who can get an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant?

You may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if

  • you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but
  • meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and
  • your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and
  • you were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

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How much money can I get?

The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed your cost of attendance for that award year. For the 2016–17 award year (July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017), the maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $5,815.

Due to sequestration, award amounts for any Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant that is first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2015, and before Oct. 1, 2016, must be reduced by 6.8 percent from the award amount for which a recipient would otherwise have been entitled. Any Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant that is first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2016, and before Oct. 1, 2017, must be reduced by 6.9 percent. For example:

  • For any 2016–17 Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2015, and before Oct. 1, 2016, the maximum award of $5,815 is reduced by 6.8 percent ($395.42), resulting in a maximum award of $5,419.58.
  • For any 2016–17 Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2016, and before Oct. 1, 2017, the maximum award amount of $5,815 is reduced by 6.9 percent ($401.23), resulting in a maximum award of $5,413.77.
 
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How will I get paid?

The payment procedures are the same as those for the Federal Pell Grant. Learn how (and when) you’ll be paid.

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