What is exactly considered "exceptional financial need"? Please help??

[Jakereally]

<p>I am currently enrolled as a senior in high school, I will graduate in 2015 and I have been exploring different scholarship options and came across Cal Grants, Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG). The SEOG is specifically for "low-income students with exceptional financial need". But what exactly is exceptional financial need?
Here is a profile of our household income:
Mom: No job, ($3,200/year from Federal assistance, Food stamp program, Section 8 housing program)
Dad: Currently incarcerated, No Job ($0/year)
Me: Applying for jobs this summer (Most likely fast food :/ )
There are currently 4 in our household (My mom, little sister, little brother and me)
Do I fit in the "exceptional financial need" category?
Also, are there any programs I could possibly be taking advantage of based on income and my academic profile? (4.0, AP Courses, rank #2 in class). I can provide additional information if necessary.
Thank you! </p>

[4kidsdad]

<p>I think most schools award FSEOG to students with 0 EFC. It very much depends on the school and how early you can apply:

To get an FSEOG, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM) so your college can determine how much financial need you have. Students who will receive Federal Pell Grants and have the most financial need will receive FSEOGs first. The FSEOG does not need to be repaid.</p>

<p>The FSEOG program is administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school and is therefore called “campus-based” aid. Not all schools participate. Check with your school’s financial aid office to find out if the school offers the FSEOG.</p>

<p>How much money can I get?</p>

<p>You can receive between $100 and $4,000 a year, depending on your financial need, when you apply, the amount of other aid you get, and the availability of funds at your school.</p>

<p>Each participating school receives a certain amount of FSEOG funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid. Once the full amount of the school’s FSEOG funds has been awarded to students, no more FSEOG awards can be made for that year. This system works differently from the Federal Pell Grant Program, which provides funds to every eligible student.</p>

<p>So, make sure you apply for federal student aid as early as you can. Each school sets its own deadlines for campus-based funds. You can find a school’s deadline on its website or by asking someone in its financial aid office.

See <a href=“https://studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships/fseog”>https://studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships/fseog&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[thumper1]

<p>Jake, it sounds like you have this need. As noted, make sure you apply for aid ASAP after January 1. FSEOG monies are limited. You don’t want to miss out because you applied late in the game.</p>

<p>You should also research to see if your state has any financial assistance for low income college students. Some do.</p>