The Department of Education has released final funding authorizations for the 2026–27 Campus-Based programs, confirming institutional allocations for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs.
For the 2026–27 award year, Congress appropriated:
- Federal Work-Study (FWS): ~$1.23 billion
- FSEOG: ~$910 million
These final allocations reflect statutory formulas applied to institutional data reported via FISAP and replace the tentative awards issued earlier this year.
Key Details for Institutions
Final awards now available in COD
- Schools can access their final funding worksheets and authorization amounts through the COD system. These reports provide the breakdown of base guarantees, fair share increases, and any adjustments applied.
Formula-driven allocations remain unchanged
Allocations are calculated under the Higher Education Act formula, including:
- Base guarantee levels
- Fair share calculations based on institutional need
- Administrative cost allowances (where applicable)
Awards are capped at the level requested on the FISAP.
Underuse penalties continue to apply
- Institutions that returned more than 10% of their prior-year allocation may see reductions in their 2026–27 funding unless a waiver was approved.
Action Steps for Financial Aid Offices
- Review final funding worksheets in COD
- Reconcile allocations against internal projections and prior-year funding
- Identify any underuse reductions or formula-driven changes
- Adjust awarding strategies for FWS employment and FSEOG packaging
- Plan ahead for potential reallocation requests
SOURCE: (CB-26-05) 2026–27 Final Funding Authorizations for the Campus-Based Aid Programs