$1,000 Aggie Advantage Grant Will Reward New Students Who Submit FAFSA
USU Offers $1,000 Grant to Students Who Submit the 2025-26 FAFSA — Whether They Get Federal Aid or Not
By Steve Kent |
Utah State University is offering a new $1,000 grant at all its 30 campuses across the state and USU Online for new undergraduate students who submit the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
The Aggie Advantage Grant will be awarded to first-time and transfer undergraduate students who submit a FAFSA and enroll full-time in USU classes — regardless of whether they qualify for any federal aid. These funds will not be limited to tuition and fees, but can be used for any educational expenses, including books, housing, food and transportation.
The Aggie Advantage Grant is one more reason USU is the school to attend for a traditional college experience, according to Katie North, vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management.
"Students can receive degrees in multiple ways from many places in the state and nation," North said, "but no one in Utah provides what we do: a top-tier research institution and the state's best student life experience."
New students for Fall 2025 who meet the following criteria will automatically be awarded the grant during the first week of the fall semester:
- Submit the 2025-26 FAFSA by Feb. 1, 2025.
- Register for at least one USU Fall semester class by May 1, 2025.
- Be enrolled in 12 or more credits by the first day of Fall Semester, Aug. 25, 2025.
The Aggie Advantage Grant, which applies to the 2025-26 FAFSA, is the latest in a series of measures from USU and the Utah System of Higher Education to aid students after federal updates caused delays in the rollout of the 2024-25 FAFSA.
Utah currently ranks among the lowest in the nation for FAFSA filing rates, a trend Utah State is determined to help change. “Utah State University is addressing this issue head-on by introducing this new grant designed to increase financial aid access and support for students across the state," said Craig Whyte, assistant vice president & executive director for Student Financial Support.
"The Aggie Advantage Grant will help even more students become Aggies so they can have a true college experience and strong foundation for their future careers," Whyte said.
For more information, visit USU's Aggie Advantage Grant webpage.
WRITER
Steve Kent
Editor
Utah State Today
(435)797-1393
steve.kent@usu.edu
CONTACT
Craig Whyte
Executive Director
Student Financial Support
craig.whyte@usu.edu
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