A Pell Grant is free money for your college education.
The Federal Pell Grant program gives grants to students from low-income families to help pay for an undergraduate degree. The amount of the grant varies by year, and you'll receive more if you are a full-time student than if you are a part-time student. Applying for a Pell Grant is easy: You do it at the same time that you apply for other financial aid from the school. If you qualify, you will not have to pay this money back.
Instructions
1. Make sure of your resident status. Pell Grants are available only to U.S. citizens, so if you are an international applicant or a resident alien, you will not qualify.
2. Ask if your college is Pell Grant-eligible. Most colleges qualify for the Pell Grant program, but some do not. Verify this before applying to the school by contacting the financial aid office.
3. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will help to determine your financial aid package from the school, and it may qualify you for Pell Grant and other federal loan programs as well. The application asks for information about your family income and assets. As of 2010, your family income must be less than $30,000 to receive the full Pell amount, though you may receive a partial grant if your family makes less than $60,000 per year.
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