Who Qualifies for a Pell Grant?
The Federal Pell Grant is a source of financial aid awarded to those individuals who are considered to be financially disadvantaged and who have not yet had the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree. In addition to demonstrating financial need, an eligible candidate must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen, have a high school diploma or a GED and exhibit the skill to do well in the designated program.
Identification
Eligible applicants are determined by a specific criterion that is dictated by the U.S. Department of Education. They use a set formula to establish a student's qualification for a Pell Grant. The formula takes into account the student's income and the income of her family, as well as the expected family contribution (EFC). The overall cost or tuition of program/school and the student's anticipated enrollments (either full-time or part-time) are also factors when determining eligibility.
Features
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to students who have not received their first bachelor's degree. However, in some cases exceptions are made. The intention of the Federal Pell Grant is to allow students with financial disadvantages to obtain a higher level of education (despite monetary restrictions). The grant ensures their enrollment in a specific program that's directed toward teacher certification or licensure.
Time Frame
The amount of the grant awarded can change according to the year it is administered and the funding or monetary participation of the definite program. If awarded the grant, a student receives it from the school directly or the institution that she'll be attending may give monetary credit to the student's Federal Pell Grant account. In some cases it is a combination of the two. Since Pell Grants are federal financial aid; the government creates and oversees the eligibility requirements in addition to determining the time frames that the grant is to be paid. It is dictated that the student must be paid for each semester, which usually amounts to twice every academic year.
Considerations
In order to be eligible for the Pell Grant, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It's important that the FAFSA is submitted by the cutoff date. For example, a student would have had to complete the 2007-08 FAFSA by the end of June in order to be eligible for aid in the 2007-08 school year. If the student fails to complete the required forms by the due date, they run the risk of not obtaining aid for that semester.
Following the filing and completion of the FAFSA, the Student Aid Report (SAR) is sent to the student, or an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) is forwarded to the institution that they are seeking to attend. Both the SAR and ISIR inform the student of her qualification for the Federal Pell Grant.
Types
Federal Pell Grants are awarded via participating colleges and institutions to individuals enrolled in specific programs that are directed toward teacher certification or licensure. The approved post-secondary institutions are listed under the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Programs. The ED administers the programs and issues the "Guide to U.S. Department of Education Programs" every academic year.
Data concerning specific ED programs can be found in the guidebook, which includes details about a program's objective, criteria, eligibility requirements, funding and contact information. Currently, around 5,400 post-secondary institutions participate in the program. According to the Federal Student Aid website: "The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2008-09 award year (July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2009) is $4,731." (See Additional Resources below.) In addition to the Pell Grant, students may also collect other financial aid, grants and scholarships.
Tags: Pell Grant, Federal Pell, Federal Pell Grant, Department Education, Pell Grants