Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

Elementary Education and Teaching, Bachelor of Science in Education

Bachelor of Science in Education
Virginia Commonwealth University

Transfer Guides are designed to maximize transfer credit as students complete their associate degree at the community college before transferring to the bachelor's degree program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. The following Transfer Guide(s), applicable to this program, are available in the Resource Center. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.

The purpose of the B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education and Teaching degree is to prepare undergraduate students for roles as teachers of young children in schools, grades pre-kindergarten to six, and community preschool settings. The program will focus on providing students with a solid foundation in child development, education psychology and the role of the family and society in education. Students will be prepared to teach in diverse classroom settings through purposefully integrated fieldwork and internship experiences. The program prepares graduates to be reflective educators who demonstrate an in-depth understanding of science, social studies, mathematics and literacy pedagogy and content. Students will develop skills to advocate for equitable learning opportunities for all children. Upon successful completion of the program, and with the recommendation of the School of Education, students are eligible to receive initial licensure for elementary education (PK-6) from the Virginia Department of Education.

Outcomes

Student learning outcomes: Learner and learning: Students will understand human development and learning theories appropriate to the age group they will teach and acquire an awareness of the diversity of the school-age populations’ cultural backgrounds, learning strengths and needs. Content: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the subjects they will teach. Instructional practice: Students will demonstrate an ability to plan and implement effective teaching and measure student learning in ways that lead to sustained development and learning. Professional responsibility: Students will develop an understanding of purposes for education and a defensible philosophical approach toward teaching and demonstrate professional dispositions.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
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Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree The B.S.Ed. in Elementary Education prepares students for roles as teachers of children grades pre-kindergarten to sixth grades. Students are provided multiple opportunities to work directly with young children including during a full-semester student internship experience. This program is not a fully online program. Students should plan on attending in-person classes for a majority of required education courses. The degree also offers a pathway for students to participate in a full-year residency through application to the RTR Teacher Residency program.
Program Requirement Notes
Program Requirement Notes

Students must have received a minimum grade of C in all required education courses (CLED, ECSE, EDUS, SEDP and TEDU). Students must have received a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses for all required upper-level education courses (CLED, ECSE, EDUS, SEDP and TEDU). Required education courses (CLED, ECSE, EDUS, SEDP and TEDU) in which students earn a grade of D or F must be repeated. Students must achieve a 2.8 GPA to be admitted to teacher preparation and a 3.0 GPA to be admitted to clinical internship.

Considerations When Selecting Courses

Complete courses that are equivalent to VCU's lower-level general education core and required education courses to fulfill the courses required for your particular associates or certificate program. Connect with your advisor at your community college to ensure that you are following the transfer guide and schedule a meeting with a VCU Transfer Center advisor.

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Commonwealth University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree Students can round out their degree, enhance their major studies, and give themselves a professional edge by pursuing one of our undergraduate minors in Special Education, Early Intervention Special Education, and Teaching English as a Second Language. Majors may apply to the Ruth Harris Scholars program to develop skills in teaching students with dyslexia. We also offer a nine-credit certificate program in Disability Studies.
Program Successes & Highlights All majors complete a series of scaffolded clinical experiences, including placements in diverse PK-6th grade schools. Graduates of the elementary education preK-6 program demonstrate a 100% pass rate on the Reading for Virginia Educators and Praxis Subject Assessments. Upon completion, students are eligible for licensure to teach PK-6th grade, with most graduates remaining in Virginia for their first position.
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Elementary Education and Teaching, Bachelor of Science in Education
123
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
This is unofficial evaluation. Please contact the VCU Transfer Center to confirm its accuracy. Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies prior to enrolling at VCU will receive a waiver of their General Education requirements. All students must complete at least 30 of their last 45 credits through VCU to earn a bachelor's degree from VCU and have at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (300, 400 and 500 level).
BSEd in Elementary Education and Teaching
123
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
This is unofficial evaluation. Please contact the VCU Transfer Center to confirm its accuracy. Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies prior to enrolling at VCU will receive a waiver of their General Education requirements. All students must complete at least 30 of their last 45 credits through VCU to earn a bachelor's degree from VCU and have at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (300, 400 and 500 level).
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 90 credits may be applied to this program.
General Education
30
Foundations
12
Writing
9
Complete courses from the following Course list:
AND
A minimum grade of C must be earned for courses in this requirement.
Quantitative
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Areas of Inquiry
18
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Select courses for Areas of Inquiry that cover the three Breadth of Knowledge areas of Humanities/Fine Arts, Natural Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences as defined in the VCU Bulletin. Please consult with an advsior. The course work in the general education curriculum must be divided among the four Areas of Inquiry below, with at least three, and no more than nine, credits from each of the four areas. In fulfilling these requirements, students may apply no more than six credits with the same four-letter prefix (ex. RELS, MGMT) to the 17-18 credit total requirement, regardless of the area of inquiry under which they are listed.
Creativity, innovation and aesthetic inquiry
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Diversities in the human experience
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Global Perspectives
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Scientific & Logical Reasoning
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Earn 3 credits by completing a course from the following Category lists
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Earn 3 credits by completing a course from the following Category lists
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category list:
Major Requirements
67
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students must achieve a 2.5 GPA in upper-level ACCT courses to graduate.
This requires a minimum GPA of 2.8
Major Core Requirements
25
Earn 25 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Teacher Education Requirements
42
Earn 42 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Ancillary core requirements
23
Math Requirements
9
Geometry
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Numbers
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Algebra
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Science Requirements
6
Science #1
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Science #2
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Science Labs
2
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Two of the science content courses must pair with a one-credit lab for a total of two credits of laboratory course work in the degree program. Possible partner laboratory courses include BIOZ 101, BIOZ 151, BIOZ 152, PHYZ 101, PHYZ 103, CHEZ 101, CHEZ 110, ENVZ 105 and URSZ 204.
Social Studies/History Requirements
6
U.S. History I
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Virginia History
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Elective Courses
3
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Take any courses to reach 123 total credits.
Earn 3 credits by completing any available course
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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The table below lists admissions agreements between Virginia Commonwealth University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.

Institution Name Type Title
Richard Bland College GAA Transfer Agreement - Virginia Commonwealth University and Richard Bland College
Blue Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Central Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Danville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Mountain Gateway Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Eastern Shore Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Germanna Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Brightpoint Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Laurel Ridge Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Mountain Empire Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
New River Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Northern Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Paul D. Camp Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Patrick & Henry Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Piedmont Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Rappahannock Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Southside Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Southwest Virginia Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Tidewater Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Peninsula Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Highlands Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Western Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University
Wytheville Community College GAA Guaranteed Admission Agreement - Virginia Community College System and Virginia Commonwealth University

You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived.

Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in Education is recommended for this major.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Associate of Science in Education is recommended for this major.
Credit for Prior Learning VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Commonwealth University
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
1902
Percent of Accepted Transfer Students
VCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their pre...see moreVCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their previous institution. Some degree programs like Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Engineering have more competitive GPA requirements. Admission to programs in VCU Arts is also based on an evaluation of additional application materials and may be more competitive. Transfer applicants with fewer than 24 earned semester (36 quarter) hours will also be reviewed based on their high school GPA.
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C..
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Hollins UniversityBA in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Eastern Shore Community CollegeEarly Childhood Education, AASAssociateAssociate in Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in K-8 EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Teacher EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Teacher Education - Secondary Mathematics SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education (English/History)AssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeEarly Childhood Development, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeEducation, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in Education AssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person
Rappahannock Community CollegeAA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science/EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science/Math EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Science/EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science - Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Science in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBS in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Education StudiesBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Arts in Special EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Mary Baldwin UniversityBachelor of Arts in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearHybrid
George Mason UniversityElementary Education, BSEdBachelorBachelor of Science in Education4-YearHybrid
William & MaryElementary Education - Bachelor of Arts in EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts in Education4-YearIn-Person
Old Dominion UniversityElementary Education-BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
University of Mary WashingtonBachelor of Science in Elem EdBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Marymount University Elementary Education (PK-6) (BA)BachelorBachelor of Art4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeLiberal Studies Major - BA (Licensure Track)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeLiberal Studies Major - BA (Non-Licensure Track)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Education Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Education4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Education Elementary Education Special Ed K-6BachelorBachelor of Education4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBS in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Online
Ferrum CollegeB.S. in Elementary EducationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Randolph-Macon CollegeElementary Education (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeExceptional Education (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1081.00Education Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2021.00Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationTeach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 123 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Elementary Education and Teaching, Bachelor of Science in Education at Virginia Commonwealth University
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $6,600 Per Semester $52,800 $0 $52,800 Every credit above 14 credits in a semester is charged at half price ($230 per credit for credits 15 and above; credits 1 -14 are charged the full rate)
Fees
University Fee $1,341 Per Semester $10,728 0 $10,728
Technology Fee $158 Per Semester $1,264 0 $1,264
Library Fee $44 Per Semester $352 0 $352
Student Activity Fee $45 Per Semester $360 0 $360 MCV Campus students pay a flat rate of $18
Academic Support Services Fee $50 Per Semester $400 0 $400
Health Fee $123 Per Semester $984 0 $984
Program Fee $45 Per Semester $360 0 $360
Transition Fee $150 Per Semester $1,200 0 $1,200 New undergraduate transfer students will be charged the Student Transition Fee in their first semester to cover Orientation. The Transition Fee for new First-Year Students is $225 and will be assessed in the first semester.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Potential Additional Fees
    • Additional fees may include on-campus housing, meal plan, parking, technology, and program- and course-specific fees.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.