If your parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan, you may be eligible for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

Like other federal grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants provide money to college or career school students to help pay their education expenses. However, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants have special eligibility criteria.

Who can get an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant?

You may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant if

  • you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant on the basis of your Expected Family Contribution but
  • meet the remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, and
  • your parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and
  • you were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of your parent’s or guardian’s death.

How do I apply?

You should start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year that you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid.

How much money can I get?

The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Federal Pell Grant for the award year but cannot exceed your cost of attendance for that award year.  For the 2019–20 award year (July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020), the maximum Federal Pell Grant award will be $6,195.

As required by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (the sequester law), award amounts for any Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant that is first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2018, and before Oct. 1, 2019, must be reduced by 6.2 percent from the award amount for which a recipient would otherwise have been entitled.  Any Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant that is first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2019, and before Oct. 1, 2020, must be reduced by 5.9 percent. For example:

  • For any 2019–20 Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2018, and before Oct. 1, 2019, the maximum award amount of $6,195 is reduced by 6.2 percent ($384.09), resulting in a maximum award of $5,810.91.
  • For any 2019–20 Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant first disbursed on or after Oct. 1, 2019, and before Oct. 1, 2020, the maximum award amount of $6,195 is reduced by 5.9 percent ($365.50), resulting in a maximum award of $5,829.50.

How will I get paid?

The payment procedures are the same as those for the Federal Pell Grant.

What should I do to maintain the grant?

You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year that you’re in school. After you have done that, your school, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, will determine your eligibility for an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

Once you have earned a baccalaureate degree or your first professional degree, or have used up all 12 semesters of your eligibility, you are no longer eligible to receive an Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant.

Learn more about staying eligible for federal student aid while you’re in school.