The grants are the foundation of a low-income student's aid package. Without them, millions of students could not go to college. SEOG expands college options for these students. Colleges and universities match one-third of the federal SEOG funds. The Perkins program provides low-interest loans to needy students, making them less reliant on more costly loan programs.
Institutions match one-third of the federal contribution.
Perkins Loan forgiveness options have helped recruit thousands of law enforcement officers, teachers, and nurses. The Federal Work-Study program provides students money to pay for college through jobs on campus, in the community, and in the private sector. This self-help program encourages 750,000 financially disadvantaged students to develop strong work habits and gain exposure to potential employment opportunities. The Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships program encourages states to continue to expand their own grant programs. States use LEAP funds to support increased grant aid, early intervention, community service, and scholarship programs in specialized academic areas.