Pell Grants
target low-income students who are working towards a bachelors degree. Pell Grants are based almost exclusively on economic data; the application asks about tuition costs, family resources and income. However, many other entities offer scholarships that target minorities.
Program
In the 1970s, the baby boomers were in their 20s and attending colleges and universities in record numbers. Many were the first person in their family to go to college and many were paying for school by themselves. The government recognized that an educated workforce would improve the national economy, and began giving free money to low-income students. The program was named the Federal Pell Grant Program in 1980.
Low-Income
The single determining factor in Pell Grant awards is money. The form asks for your expected tuition costs and asks very detailed questions about your income and your family's income. The application does not ask about your ethnicity or any other minority status. According to Faireconomy.com, due to the persistence of institutionalized racism in the job market, a disproportionate amount of minority students come from low-income families. These low-income students are thus eligible for Pell Grants.
Application
To apply for a Pell Grant, you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The FAFSA is extremely important because most colleges and other aid-granting organizations will require you to submit a FAFSA to be considered for other awards. The FAFSA will ask for very detailed information about your income, your family's income, your spouse's income (if you are married), tuition costs, the size of your family and how you plan to pay for college. You will not be asked to disclose minority status anywhere on the FAFSA.
Grants for Minorities
While Pell Grants do not target minorities, colleges, organizations and businesses have thousands of scholarships available to minority students. Follow the links in the the website scholarships.com to scholarship databases and start applying.
Tags: Pell Grants, about your, income your, low-income students, Pell Grant