Types of Aid

GRANT AID

If you are looking for financial assistance to further your education, you first need to understand the difference between scholarships and financial aid, both available through the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships come from non-government sources such as foundations and private donors and may not have financial requirements for eligibility attached to them. To find out what scholarships might be available to you, consult the scholarships page for information and requirements.

Grant aid comes from federal and state government sources as well as the College of Southern Nevada that have specific eligibility requirements. Grants are awarded to students based on financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants may be used to pay for tuition and fees, books and supplies, transportation and other expenses related to attending CSN. Grants do not need to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Information about grant aid is listed below.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional need according to the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must meet general federal student aid eligibility requirements to receive a Pell Grant. The maximum amount a student may be eligible for depends on a student's financial need, the cost of attendance, and the number of credits the student is attempting. The Federal Pell Grant may be awarded year-round; however, specific rules apply. The Pell Grant is awarded for the academic year. You will need to re-apply by submitting the current year FAFSA, available every October 1st. Click here to learn more about year-round Pell.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG assists students who demonstrate exceptional need, according to the FAFSA. Awards vary and range up to $3,000, depending on calculated financial aid eligibility and the availability of funds. The FSEOG is a limited grant and is awarded to Pell Grant recipients and on a first come, first-serve basis. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible to be considered. Visit the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program page for more information.

Silver State Opportunity Grant Program (SSOG)

The Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG) is a state-supported, need-based financial aid program. College of Southern Nevada will award available funds to eligible students based on your financial need determined by the FAFSA. CSN prioritizes eligible students who have a zero EFC first and are enrolled in 15 eligible credits. This award is provided on a first come, first-serve basis and demand may exceed available funding. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA. Click here to learn more about the SSOG.

CSN Access Grant

The CSN Access Grant is funded by CSN directly. These grants are awarded on a first come, first-served basis to students demonstrating exceptional need based on their FAFSA application. The student is awarded based on their EFC and the number of credits attempted in a semester. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible to be considered.

Silver State Access Grant

The Silver State Access Grant is a state funded program. These grants are awarded on a first come, first-served basis to students demonstrating exceptional need based on their FAFSA application. The student is awarded based on their EFC and the number of credits attempted in a semester. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible to be considered.

There are two main Work Study programs, Federal Work Study and the Silver State Regent Work Award. Federal Work Study is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the Silver State Regent Work Award is funded by the State of Nevada. Both programs are limited in funding and are offered on a first come first serve basis.

Federal Work Study Program

To be eligible for Federal Work Study (predominantly used in the fall and spring semesters), students must also have:

• Students must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with an official EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) on file for the academic year (fall, spring, summer).
• A financial aid eligible major declared;
• Enrollment in classes required by the certificate/degree program;
• Remaining financial aid need after Grants and Scholarships have been applied, as applicable;
• Meet financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for each semester/term of employment.

If you have questions about College Work Study, please contact us via email or by phone at the numbers listed below.

In Person:    Log into CoyoteQ and select - “Financial Aid”

Email:           Contact Us (Please include your NSHE ID in your email.)

Phone:           702.651.4327

Hours:           Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm

Location:       North Las Vegas Campus, Building E Room E118

Whether you’re a high school student, college student, nontraditional, or adult-learner, colleges offer scholarships to recruit a talented and diverse student body.  Scholarships are an alternative to loans.  Whether you’re a student or thinking of becoming a student, scholarships can be helpful in funding your education.  The CSN Financial Aid Office is here to help.

Helpful Tips:

• Keep an eye on deadline dates!
• The first step is to make sure you qualify for the scholarship.  Apply for every scholarship for which you are eligible. Every dollar you win in scholarships is a dollar less you have to borrow.
• Your chances of winning a small scholarship are greater than your chances of winning a more lucrative scholarship because they are less competitive. But winning several small scholarships can add up to big money.
• Essays can often be reused on multiple scholarship applications with slight tweaks, saving you a lot of time.

Scholarships Available at CSN

2021-2022 CSN Foundation Scholarships

CSN Alternative Scholarship

CSN Mission Graduation Scholarship

CSN President's Scholarship

Millennium Scholarship

Nevada Promise Scholarship

Outside Scholarship Search Engines

CSN wishes to thank all the current scholarship donors for their continued support. It is through their thoughtfulness and support that many CSN students are able to continue their education and change their lives.

Student loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid back with interest. Borrowing a student loan is a serious responsibility. Students should contact the CSN Financial Aid Office with any questions about student loan borrowing.

Students are encouraged to seek other funding sources to reduce student debt. Several options can help reduce the burden of student debt, like College Work-Study and Scholarships.

Types of Student Loans

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
• Alternative (Private) Student Loans

For more detailed information, please visit our loans page.

Code of Ethics

The Financial Aid Office at CSN supports the Nevada Attorney General's Office regarding college student loan conduct. If a student elects to borrow a non-federal private alternative loan, these rules of conduct help students achieve the best rates, through a fair market system, knowing CSN has no financial or tangible interest in any private alternative loan a student selects.

College Student Loan Code of Conduct

1. REVENUE SHARING PROHIBITION

Colleges and school-affiliated organizations are prohibited from receiving anything of value from any lending institution in exchange for any advantage sought by the lending institution. Lenders can no longer pay to be included on a school’s preferred lender list.

2. GIFT PROHIBITIONS
College employees, their immediate family or significant other, and school-affiliated organizations are prohibited from accepting anything of more than nominal value (defined here to be any item of value in excess of Twenty Five Dollars ($25)) from any lending institution.

3. MEALS AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPENSE PROHIBITIONS
College employees, their immediate family or significant other and school-affiliated organizations are prohibited from accepting payment of entertainment expenses by any lending institution, including expenses for private hospitality suites, tickets to shows or sporting events, meals, alcoholic beverages, and any lodging, rental, transportation and other gratuities related to lender-sponsored activities. College employees are allowed, however, to participate in lender-sponsored meals or receptions at conferences, provided all conference attendees are invited.

4. PRINTING PROHIBITIONS
College employees and school-affiliated organizations may not contract with any lending institution in the printing or distribution of college catalogs and other materials at reduced or no cost.

5. ADVISORY BOARD COMPENSATION RATES
College employees and school-affiliated organizations are prohibited from serving on the advisory board of any lending institution. College employees are allowed, however, to serve on the advisory board of a guaranty agency at the agency’s expense.

6. PREFERRED LENDER GUIDELINES
College preferred lender lists must be based solely on the best interests of the students or parents who may use the list without regard to financial interests of the College or school-affiliated organizations.

7. PREFERRED LENDER DISCLOSURE
On all preferred lender lists, the College must clearly and fully disclose the criteria and process used to select preferred lenders. Students and parents must also be told that they have the right and ability to select the lender of their choice regardless of the preferred lender list.

8. LOAN RESALE DISCLOSURE
No lender may appear on a preferred lender list if the lender has an agreement to sell its loans to another lender without disclosing this fact.

9. CALL- CENTER AND STAFFING PROHIBITION
Colleges and school-affiliated organizations must exercise reasonable efforts to ensure that employees of lenders never identify themselves to students as employees or agents of the colleges. No employee of a lender may ever work in or provide staffing to a college financial aid office except as otherwise permitted by law.

10. TRAINING PROHIBITION
Lenders and guaranty agencies may participate in College financial literacy outreach activities but are prohibited from conducting in-person, school-required entrance and exit counseling. Colleges and school-affiliated organizations may not allow lenders to provide said activities, and may only attend training held by guaranty agencies.