The U.S. Department of Education administers the Pell Grant program. As a grant, it does not have to be repaid, and may be combined with other funding, such as loans and scholarships, to cover college tuition and expenses. Pell Grants are awarded to prospective college students based on financial need, and the maximum amount awarded is around $4,000. To apply for a Pell Grant, students should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The Pell Grant can be applied to undergraduate degree programs, including ones in paralegal studies, at accredited 2 year and 4 year institutions.
According to the U.S. Scholarship Guide, one merit based grant to consider is the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. Recipients are high school seniors who have been accepted to college and have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. The maximum award is $6,000 over four years, and recipients receive $1,500 per year. The scholarship is administered by state education agencies, but funded by the federal government.
In order to qualify for merit based grants, applicants typically must meet economic as well as academic criteria. Students who are awarded a merit-based grant can usually apply them to any course of study, including paralegal studies.
In addition to the Pell Grant award, first year and second year college students can apply for the Academic Competitiveness Grant. To be eligible for an Academic Competitiveness Grant, students must be U.S. citizens, and be enrolled in a full time degree program at a two-year or four-year institution. This makes the Academic Competitiveness Grant a good option for prospective paralegals who are pursuing an associate's degree. Second-year students must have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is a maximum of $750 for first year students and $1,300 for second year students.