The first thing you must do to be eligible for a Pell Grant is to fill out and file a Federal Student Aid Form. You will be asked to supply financial information, family size and list the Indiana colleges and universities you are considering attending. Once completed, an estimated family contribution (EFC) dollar amount will be calculated. That amount must be below $3,850 for you to be eligible.
You must be enrolled at least half time—taking a minimum of six credits—at a participating Indiana college or university. Your course of study must lead to either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The Pell Grant is not applicable to post-baccalaureate degrees; however, if you are a teacher and choose to teach in a high-needs, low-income area, you may be eligible for the TEACH Grant. If you plan to double up courses to receive your undergraduate degree more quickly, you can receive back-to-back Pell Grants in a single year to fund the extra courses. Pell Grants can be awarded to you for up to 18 semesters if you began your studies after July 1, 2008.
Another requirement in order to be eligible for an Indiana Pell Grant is to be current on any past school loans. Should you be in default on a previous student loan, you will be denied the ability to receive a Pell Grant. You will also be denied an Indiana Pell Grant award if you have received an overpayment in a past Pell Grant. Over-payments occur when you receive a Pell Grant for courses you signed up for but never completed. If you have withdrawn from a class or dropped out and received a Pell Grant for those courses, you must repay the Pell Grant amount you received for the incomplete courses.