Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG)
Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)
Need-based Nevada grant of up to $5,500 a year for low-income, college-ready students taking 12+ credits at an NSHE community college or Nevada State University, awarded from the FAFSA.
- How much
- Up to $5,500 per year (up to $4,400 per year at 12 credits per semester; prorated below 15 credits)
- Who qualifies
- Nevada resident for tuition; NSHE community college or Nevada State University; 12+ credits in a degree/certificate program; college-ready in math and English; FAFSA SAI 8,500 or less; no prior bachelor's degree; satisfactory academic progress.
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students, trade school students
- not stated; students prohibited by law from completing the FAFSA should contact their college's financial aid office about an alternate application
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA-driven; funds awarded by need until exhausted, so file the FAFSA (opens about October 1) as early as possible.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA as early as possible each year (if prohibited by law from completing the FAFSA, contact your college's financial aid office about an alternate application) and complete your college's financial aid requirements
- Colleges award SSOG automatically to eligible students until funds run out
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (nshe.nevada.edu) and page 2
The details
Need-based grant built on a shared-responsibility model: the award equals the cost of attendance minus a $5,500 student contribution, the Student Aid Index (SAI) and federal grants (Pell, FSEOG, TEACH), up to $5,500 a year. Students in fewer than 15 credits get prorated awards; the maximum for 12 credits each of two semesters is $4,400. For 2025-26 the program used an average cost of attendance of $29,408. Eligible schools: College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Nevada State University, Truckee Meadows Community College, Western Nevada College. Requirements: degree or certificate program; at least 12 credits that apply to the program; college-ready in math and English (enrolled in 100-level or higher math and English, placed into at least Math 120 and English 101 including corequisite courses, or completed remedial work with a C or better); Nevada resident for tuition purposes; satisfactory academic progress; FAFSA with SAI of 8,500 or less; no prior bachelor's degree. Funds are limited and awarded in priority order: students in 15+ credits first, then students in under 15 credits in their final semester, then others in 12+ credits, each in ascending SAI order (-1,500 up to 8,500) until funds run out. Renewal is not guaranteed; refile the FAFSA early each year.
More money from Nevada
- Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship (GGMS)Up to $10,000 total; $40 (lower division)/$60 (upper division) per credit at NSHE community colleges, $60 per credit at Nevada State University, $80 per credit at all other eligible institutions; up to 15 credits each semester
- Nevada Promise Scholarship (NPS)Up to three years of community college registration fees and mandatory fees not covered by other gift aid (last-dollar)
- Regents' Higher Education Opportunity Award (Nevada Student Access Aid)Varies by college; each NSHE institution sets its own award amounts (no statewide amount published)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.