Silver State Opportunity Grant

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The Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG) is need-based financial aid funded by the State of Nevada. The College of Southern Nevada makes SSOG awards to eligible students based upon several factors including Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results and the student’s semester credit load.  SSOG funding is limited, and awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis. For full consideration of the SSOG award, students are encouraged to (1) complete their FAFSA as early as possible and (2) enroll in at least 15 eligible semester credits as early as possible. The SSOG award is confirmed based on your eligible enrollment in MyCSN as of the semester's census date. Enrollment in fewer than 15 eligible credits, enrollment in ineligible courses, or late changing of classes can and will negate your eligibility for SSOG. Our Office strongly suggests having your FAFSA for the upcoming year completed in October of the year prior and enrolling in your final schedule as soon as enrollment for the upcoming semester opens. As with most grant aid, students who complete and finalize their FAFSA eligibility and eligible course enrollment as early as possible will always have the best opportunity to access additional (but limited) funds. For those who do receive SSOG but plan to withdraw from course(s), please contact the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) before withdrawing.

SSOG Eligibility Requirements:

  • Enroll in at least 15 eligible credits by the Financial Aid Census Date.  
  • Declare a major that leads to a CSN degree or certificate. 
  • Funds are awarded based on priority. See priority order below. 
  • Be college-ready based on placement or completion of entry-level, college-level Mathematics and English (refer to the details below). 
  • Be classified as a Nevada resident by the Registrar for tuition purposes. 
  • Comply with the CSN Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements; and 
  • Provide CSN with your completed, valid FAFSA that has a qualifying Student Aid Index (SAI).
  • Students whose FAFSA is selected for verification must complete the verification process successfully. 

SSOG Disbursement Requirements:

  • Have an SSOG award. 
  • Be enrolled and actively participating (as reported by CSN Faculty) in 15 or more eligible credits by the Financial Aid Census Date.

College Ready Requirements:

  • Currently or previously enrolled in a 100 or above level Mathematics and English course or, 
  • Placed into a college-level course under institutional placement policies for placement into at least Math 120 and English 101, or 

Previously completed remedial coursework (evident by a C or better in Math 096 and/or English 098). 

The following tables outline the minimum required scores in English and mathematics necessary for placement into college-level courses in these subjects.

 

College Readiness Assessments – English

Test ScoreMinimum Score
ACT English or ACT English Language Arts18 (English)
SAT ESRW for English 101500;

 

College Readiness Assessments – Mathematics

Test ScoresMinimum Score
ACT Mathematics19
SAT Math - SAT Test Date450

SSOG Maintaining Eligibility:

  • To maintain eligibility, you must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) criteria.

SSOG Award Amounts:

  • up to $2,750 fall semester
  • up to $2,750 spring semester

Note:
SSOG awards are canceled after the Financial Aid Census Date for students who fall below 15 eligible credits, and those who are reported by CSN faculty as NOT PARTICIPATING in at least 15 credit hours. If SSOG is canceled, you will not be eligible for a re-assessment for those funds.

SSOG Subsequent Awarding:

  • If SSOG funding remains after the Financial Aid Census Date, unawarded students enrolled in at least 15 eligible credits may be awarded. Please note, this is an automated process. Students cannot request that SSOG be awarded to their account.
  • Students whose SSOG was canceled but later increased their eligible enrollment will not be eligible for a re-assessment for those funds.