Pell Grants: Who What And How To Get Them
Financial aid for college can go a long way towards helping a student pay for their education. Not having to worry about where the money is coming from allows the student to focus on what is important, their studies. That’s why the federal government offers different types of grants to students. Not everyone is going to have the same educational needs and expenses.
Grants and scholarships are better than loans for one simple reason, they don’t have to be paid back. One of the most popular federal grants that students can apply for is the Pell grant. There are many different ways to apply for the grant. Students that are already enrolled in college, or that are returning to school may prefer to file for this grant online. Students that are just started out in college may find it easier to go their financial aid office for help with this grant application. Financial aid will have the necessary forms, along with someone qualified to help file them.
Once the student’s eligibility has been determined they can elect to receive their grant money in a few different ways. Most students opt to have the money paid directly to the school, where the financial office can apply it directly to tuition and other related expenses. Some students elect to handle these things themselves, and can choose to have the award money mailed to them.
Eligibility for Pell grants is determined by a number of factors. One of the most important determining factors is financial need. The amount of the award is determined by the amount of aid required. Pell grants were designed primarily with the disadvantaged student in mind, so that they too can have the same chances at a decent education that are handed out to the wealthy and brilliant.
The Pell committee considers two important factors in determining financial need. One is the expected family contribution towards the students education. This is called EFC for short, and it is balanced against another figure called the Cost Of Attendance, or COA. This is determined by calculating all expenses and costs for a period of one year.
The best way the student can guarantee eligibility for Pell funds is to make sure they have correctly filled out the FAFSA form for the year they will be in school. Pell uses the information entered in the FAFSA to determine the students total cost of attendance, and also the expected family contribution as well. FAFSA not only determines eligibility for Pell grants but also for other forms of federal and state aid.
Pell grants for single mothers is a very good option for single moms.