Students attending online colleges are eligible for Pell grants.
Pell grants are available to college students who meet financial eligibility requirements and who are attending accredited universities. According to the Match a College website, Pell grants can be awarded both to students attending college in a traditional campus setting and to learners attending online colleges within the United States.
Apply
Students who want to apply for a Pell grant for an online university need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is available at the FAFSA website and can be either submitted online and signed with an assigned PIN or the form can be printed and mailed.
Financial Guidelines
According to the College Board website, the United States Department of Education disburses Pell grants based on the estimated amount the student's family can contribute. The less a family is estimated to be able to pay for the student's educational needs, the greater the amount the Pell grant will be for a conventional or online education.
Who Qualifies?
In addition to meeting financial guidelines, there are other qualifications that must be met in order to receive a Pell grant for an online university. A student must be a citizen of the United States or an eligible noncitizen. She must have a high school diploma or a GED. She cannot have earned a prior bachelor's degree, and must be an undergraduate student.
Grant Amounts
The maximum amount allowed is subject to change annually. According to the College Board website, the maximum amount an online or traditional student can receive in a 2010-2011 Pell grant is $5,550. The amount of a Pell grant for him depends on whether he is attending full time or part time, the cost of tuition and other college-related expenses and the number of semesters he will be attending.
How Grants Are Disbursed
A Pell grant awarded to a student attending an online school can be disbursed in a variety of ways. Pell grant moneys can be sent to the online university's accounting office, sent to the student to pay the college on her own or partially disbursed to both the college and the student.
What Is an Accredited Online College?
In order to receive a Pell grant for an online college the university must be accredited. A college is approved for accreditation by an agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as an agency that is an expert in quality higher education. A Pell grant will not be granted if the institution's accreditation is in doubt.
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