A Federal Pell Grant is a form of financial aid that is awarded to students who demonstrate a high need for financial assistance. The grant is named after Senator Claiborne Pell, who was instrumental in its creation. The Pell Grant is a need-based grant, which means that the amount of money a student receives is based on their financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who are eligible for a Pell Grant can use the money to pay for their education expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies.
The Pell Grant is a popular initiative of the US Government to help low-income undergrad students access colleges and universities in the US. It is the largest source of financial aid for college students in the US.
What Is the Application Process?
The application process for financial aid can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid, which includes the Federal Pell Grant. Once you have completed the FAFSA, you will be able to see what types of aid you are eligible for and how much money you can expect to receive. You can then use this information to help you pay for college.
Who Qualifies for a Pell Grant?
A Pell Grant is a federal grant that provides financial assistance to eligible students who are pursuing their first undergraduate degree or certificate at an eligible college or career school. To be eligible for a Pell Grant, students must have a demonstrated financial need, as determined by the student’s expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is determined by using information from the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must also be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at an eligible college or career school.
Are There Other Federal Grants for College?
There are other federal grants for college besides the Pell Grant. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduates with exceptional financial needs. The TEACH Grant is for students who agree to teach in a high-need field for four years at a school that serves low-income students. You have to pay back a TEACH Grant if you don’t fulfill the service agreement. Other federal grants include the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, which is for students whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.
Federal Pell Grant facts
There are approximately 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions that are enrolled in the Pell Grant Program.
The maximum award for the 2022-2023 academic year is $6,895.
The Pell Grant money is transferred directly to the school the student studies at and is paid twice yearly.
You don’t have to repay federal grants. Grants are a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid, unlike student loans.
It is the largest grant program of its kind, and in 2017, over 6 million students received Pell Grants totaling more than $26 billion.
Getting your Pell Grant award
The Pell Grant award is based on the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the cost of attendance at the school they are attending. The Pell Grant award is typically disbursed in two payments, one at the beginning of the semester and one at the end. If you are receiving a federal student loan as part of your financial aid package, the Pell Grant funds will be applied to your outstanding student loan balance first. Any remaining Pell Grant funds will be paid to your school to help cover school costs.
Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility calculator
The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant for low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students. The amount of your Pell Grant depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your cost of attendance, whether you’re a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less.
However, there is a limit on the total amount of federal student aid that a student can receive over their lifetime. The maximum amount that a student can receive is equal to the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding.