The Saginaw Valley State University Opportunity Grant (SVOG) is a grant for undergraduate students with financial need. The SVOG does not need to be repaid unless a student withdraws from courses or owes a refund.
2024-2025 First Time in College Student Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility
Graduating high school seniors (2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 first time in college students) who are enrolling in college for the first time in Fall 2024 or later. President’s, Saginaw Award for Excellence, Founder’s, and Dean’s Scholarship recipients are not eligible.
Terms
Awards range from $500-$6000, based on financial need and when combined with incoming academic scholarships (University and Valley Housing Scholarships). Students not receiving the University and Valley Housing scholarships are eligible if they meet the eligibility requirements for this award (President’s, Saginaw Award for Excellence, Founder’s, and Dean’s Scholarship recipients are not eligible).
- A student living on campus can receive up to $6,000
- A student living off-campus or with a parent can receive up to $5,000
- Cardinal Scholarship Recipients
- Living On Campus: up to $500 plus Valley Housing Scholarship
- Living Off-Campus/With Parent: up to $1,000
- University Scholarship Recipients
- Living On Campus: up to $1,500 plus Valley Housing Scholarship
- Living Off-Campus/With Parent: up to $2,000
- Enrolled for the first time Fall 2024 semester.
- Must complete and submit the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- This award is based on a financial need calculation (Cost of Attendance minus Student Aid Index minus any scholarships, grants, and other gift aid) received by SVSU and/or other off-campus organizations, companies, etc. The Student Aid Index (SAI) is determined by the results of the FAFSA. Beginning with the 2024-25 award year, the Student Aid Index (SAI) replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The Cost of Attendance is determined by SVSU (Published on the Scholarships and Financial Aid website). The award can be changed if your financial need changes after initial awarding. If your need is met by other grants, scholarships, and other gift aid (free money), then you will not be eligible for this grant.
- The award is renewable for up to three additional years. Student eligibility for this grant will cease at the end of the student’s fourth year. Students may not be eligible every year (based on financial need). A student must receive this grant in their first year to receive funds for additional years.
- For renewal, a student must maintain a 2.0 SVSU cumulative GPA. A student must have financial need (as determined above, and by completing and submitting a new FAFSA for each award year).
- For renewal, a student must maintain full-time enrollment. A student must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy requirements for Financial Aid.
How to Apply
- Admission to the university
- Must complete and submit the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Next Steps
Once a student has been admitted as a first-time college student for the upcoming Fall semester and completed their FASFA, it is then received and processed through SVSU’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. The student will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter email notification. The award letter will list the type and amount of financial aid offered to the student. If eligible, their award letter will reflect the SVOG Grant amount.
The Saginaw Valley State University Opportunity Grant (SVOG) is a grant for undergraduate students with financial need. The SVOG does not need to be repaid unless a student withdraws from courses or owes a refund.
2023-2024 First Time in College Student Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility
Graduating high school senior (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 first time in college students). President’s and Founder’s Scholarship recipientsare noteligible.
Terms
Awards range from $500-$6000, based upon financial need and when combined with incoming academic scholarships (Dean’s, Cardinal, University, Faculty and Valley Housing Scholarships).
- A student living on campus can receive up to $6000
- A student living off-campus or with a parent can receive up to $5000
- Dean's Scholarship Recipients
- Living On Campus: up to $500
- Living Off-Campus/With Parent: up to $1000
- Cardinal Scholarship Recipients
- Living On Campus: up to $1500
- Living Off-Campus/With Parent: up to $2000
- University Scholarship Recipients
- Living On Campus: up to $2500
- Living Off-Campus/With Parent: up to $3000
- Enrolled for the first time Fall 2023 semester
- Must complete and submit the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- This award is based on a financial need calculation (Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution minus any scholarships, grants and other gift aid) received by SVSU and/or other off-campus organizations, companies, etc. Cost of Attendance is determined by SVSU (Published on the Scholarships and Financial Aid website). Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is determined by the results of the FAFSA. The award can be changed if your financial need changes after initial awarding. If your need is met by other grants, scholarships and other gift aid (free money), then you will not be eligible for this grant.
- The award is renewable for up to three additional years. Student eligibility for this grant will cease at the end of the student’s fourth year. Students may not be eligible every year (based on financial need). A student must receive this grant in their first year to receive funds for additional years.
- For renewal, a student must maintain a 2.0 SVSU cumulative GPA. A student must have financial need (as determined above, and by completing and submitting a new FAFSA for each award year).
- For renewal, a student must maintain full-time enrollment: students must complete at least 24 credit hours between the Fall and Winter semesters.
How to Apply
- Admission to the university
- Must complete and submit the 2023-2024 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Next Steps
Once a student has been admitted as a first time in college student for the upcoming Fall semester and completed their FASFA, it is then received and processed through SVSU’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. The student will receive a Financial Aid Award Letter email notification. The award letter will list the type and amount of financial aid offered to the student. If eligible, their award letter will reflect the SVOG Grant amount.
