Federal Pell Grant Information
- Pell Grants are the foundation of federal student financial aid to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.
- Pell Grants are generally awarded only to undergraduate students—those who haven’t earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
- In some limited cases, however, you might receive a Pell Grant if you’re enrolled in a post baccalaureate teacher certificate program.
With a few exceptions, Federal Pell Grants are available only to undergraduate students for a maximum lifetime limit of 18 semesters or its equivalent. Grants do not have to be repaid.
The Pell Grant program is a federal grant program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. It is named after U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell and originally known as the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant (BEOG) program. Grants, which do not require repayment, are awarded based on a "financial need" formula determined by the U.S. Congress using criteria submitted through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Pell Grant is covered by legislation titled the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1; 20 U.S.C. 1070a.
Amount of Grant
- Amounts can change yearly.
- If you’re eligible for a Pell Grant you’ll receive the full amount you qualify for—each school participating in the program receives enough funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education to pay the Pell Grant amounts for all its eligible students.
- The amount of other student aid you might qualify for does not affect the amount of your Pell Grant.
- Pell Grant award amounts can change yearly, but the Pell Grant award for the 2009–2010 award year (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) is $5350. The Pell grant award for the 2010-2011 year (July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011) is $5550. In addition, you may qualify to receive an additional second Pell grant – check with the financial aid office at your school for eligibility for a second Pell grant.
Pell Grant Recipients
To qualify for a Pell Grant, a student must demonstrate significant financial need. The amount of the award is based on the Expected Family Contribution, derived from the information on the FAFSA.
To determine the amount of a student’s Federal Pell Grant, the financial aid administrator considers the cost of attendance, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and other factors.
A Federal Pell Grant provides financial aid to students. The Pell Grant program is needs based, meaning money is given to students based upon their financial situation. The lower the EFC is (the less money the family is assumed able to pay for school), the higher the grant award will be. A student with a zero EFC—no family contribution is expected—has the most need and may be eligible to receive the largest possible Federal Pell Grant award.
A Federal Pell Grant provides financial aid to students. This grant program is needs based, meaning money is given to students based upon their financial situation. Even if you think you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, you should submit an application. Your circumstances and financial need may allow you to receive at least some amount of grant money.
- Money - There is a huge difference between a Federal Pell Grant and a student loan. Federal grants are given to students based on financial need. Federal Pell Grants are basically free money. In other words, they do not have to be paid back to the government. There are certain stipulations and qualifications that must be met, however, before a grant can be awarded.
- Meet the Deadlines - As with any other college application, you should apply for a Federal Pell Grant as early as possible. If you fail to post your application by the deadline, you will probably not be considered for a Federal Pell Grant. The deadlines are indicated on the www.fafsa.gov website.
- Essential Documents - The federal government awards grant money to students based on certain set criteria. You will need to have several official documents on-hand before you can begin the application process. Unless you are over the age of twenty-four, married, or have a dependent of your own, a veteran or serving on active duty, you are considered a dependent of your parents or adopted parents. This means that, when trying to get a Federal Pell Grant, you must be prepared to give information from your parents' tax forms, bank statements, and even driver's license numbers. You will also need to submit your own similar information as well. The federal government will use this information to determine your financial need.
- Student Aid Application - You can request a Free Application for Federal Student Aid from the financial aid office of the institution in which you are interested, or you can request one from your local high school's guidance office. You can also fill out a FAFSA online at the official Website www.fafsa.gov.
- Student Aid Report - Once your student aid application has been reviewed, you will receive a Student Aid Report, which documents your financial need and will include information on how much money, if any, you will receive from a Federal Pell Grant. The Student Aid Report will provide detailed information on how to claim your Federal Pell Grant money.
- Part-time Enrollment - Finally, even if you aren't enrolling as a full-time student, you may be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. While you may not receive as much money as a full-time student would, you should always apply.
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This guide is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be: U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, Students Channel, Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid 2008–09, Washington, D.C., 2007
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