First Silver State Opportunity Grants awarded to 689 Nevada Students
The Nevada System of Higher Education today announced that 689 Nevada students have been awarded the Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG). In the days to follow, the students will be notified they are receiving the grant and funds will be disbursed to students in time for the fall semester.
“This is a historic moment for our low income students,” said NSHE Chancellor Dan Klaich. “This program is a significant first step in ensuring that college is affordable to all Nevadans. I am grateful to Governor Sandoval and the State Legislature for their support in ensuring that our low income students can achieve their dreams of a college degree.”
The total unmet financial aid need for students in all NSHE institutions was $434.5 million during the 2012-2013 academic year. This figure represents the gap that students must make up on their own to cover the total cost of education.
Students from the lowest income families often have the lowest high school graduation rates, lowest college continuation rates and the lowest bachelor’s degree attainment rates. In Nevada, only 28.6 percent (in 2012) of the students from low income families attended college. The national average is 39.4 percent.
Up until 2015, Nevada did not have a need-based financial aid program. That changed with the passage of Senate Bill 227, sponsored by State Senators Ben Kieckhefer and Ruben Kihuen.
“The Silver State Opportunity Grant is a game changer for Nevada’s students. The program is unique in that it is based on the total cost of education being shared by the student, family, the State of Nevada, and the federal government. It is a huge step in ensuring that college is truly affordable for all Nevadans,” said Kieckhefer.
The 2015 Nevada Legislature appropriated $2.5 million to support the program for fiscal year 2015-2016 and $2.5 million for fiscal year 2016-2017. NSHE was tasked with administering the program.
“I grew up in the same neighborhoods in North Las Vegas as many of the kids this program will help and I know first-hand the power of higher education. Every student deserves a fair shot at a college degree and this program gives those most in need a chance,” said Kihuen.
The SSOG Program will provide financial aid to Nevada residents who attend Nevada State College, College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, or Western Nevada College.
To be eligible for an SSOG award, a student must:
- Be enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate;
- Enroll in at least 15 credit hours that apply to the student’s chosen program of study;
- Be college ready based on placement or completion of entry-level, college-level mathematics and English;
- Be classified as a resident for tuition purposes;
- Meet institutional Title IV financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements; and
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $8,500 or less.
The SSOG award amount is calculated by subtracting from the total cost of attendance the student contribution, expected family contribution (determined from completion of the FAFSA), and federal awards received (including the Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and the federal TEACH grant). The amount remaining, up to $5,500 annually, is the SSOG award amount.
