Pell Grants are available to low-income college students.
The Federal Pell Grant Program helps college students pay for financial obligations associated with higher learning. Pell grants, formerly called Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, are awarded to students who show a need and who meet eligibility requirements. Students who qualify for Pell Grants may use the grant money at one of more than 5,400 institutions of higher learning in the United States.
Not Enough Financial Need
You must show that you have sufficient financial need to receive a Federal Pell Grant. The formula used to determine financial need includes subtracting the expected family contribution (from you or your parents) from the cost of attendance. The amount that remains is considered to be the financial need. The expected family contribution is assigned to you after evaluators take into account your overall financial situation. If your expected financial contribution is more than $5,273 for the school year, you are not eligible a Pell Grant.
No Citizenship
Federal Pell Grant Program applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents. In rare instances, non-citizens may receive Pell Grant money.
No Diploma
If you have not received your high school diploma, you may not be eligible for a Pell Grant. You are still eligible if you have passed the General Educational Development (GED) test or can pass an "ability to benefit" competency test.
Haven't Registered for Selective Service
Men who reach 18 years of age or are between 18 and 35 and have become United States citizens are required by law to register for Selective Service. Eligible men who do not register cannot receive a Pell Grant.
Full Scholarship
You are not eligible for a Pell grant if you have received a full scholarship from the institution of higher learning you are attending that covers all of your education-related expenditures for the upcoming school year.
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