The Pell Grant gives certain sums of money to approved institutions to help students pay for enrollment and books. You may be eligible to receive a Pell Grant if you fulfill certain requirements. If you receive a Pell Grant, you will not receive the grant directly from the government. Rather, your school will use the grant money to help pay for your tuition and books. There may be a sum of money left over at the end of the semester or school year, which will be given to you, the student. You may use the money as you wish (for example, for housing and transportation) even though those expenses are not directly related to your continuing education.
To qualify for a Pell Grant, you must fill in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will calculate your and your family's income, size and assets. This application also takes into account whether other family members are attending a college or postsecondary institution. You will then receive a Student Aid Report (SAR), and the institute or college you are interested in will receive an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR). If you are interested in attending a specific college or institute, check with its financial aid office to see whether they receive Pell Grants or not.
Only U.S. citizens and legal residents can apply for a Pell Grant, as can permanent residents and those who have been granted asylum or have conditional permanency status. You must have a valid Social Security number and a demonstrated financial need, as shown on the FAFSA application. You must have a high school diploma, GED or equivalency from another country.
The Pell Grant is only given to students enrolled on a full or three quarter basis. That means that if the college or institute you are interested in requires at least 16 credits for full time students, the minimum amount of classes you can take and still receive the Pell Grant would be 12 credits. Colleges vary, so check with the one you are applying to, especially if you need to work at the same time that you are studying. You will also have show proof of your previous academic record and that you are not defaulting on any federal student aid loan or previous grant. You can lose the Pell Grant if you are suspended from school or convicted of a crime.
After you are approved for the Pell Grant, you will receive the amount allotted for that academic year. You will have to reapply for the next academic year, but your application is stored on the FAFSA database along with your personal information. If you have trouble filling out the FAFSA application, check with the Financial Aid office at the institution you are interested in. They will be able to help you. With a little effort, you can get help to pay for your schooling.