To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, you must be an undergraduate student seeking your first associate or bachelor's degree or a graduate student whose degree will culminate in a teaching certification. To obtain the maximum amount of aid, you must enroll at least half-time and for the entire academic year. In addition to these requirements, you must attend an institution that participates in the Federal Financial Aid Program.
Students must also not exceed the maximum expected family contribution (EFC) to be eligible for the Pell Grant. The EFC is calculated by adding the net income left after expenses and taxes to a percentage of net assets. Your EFC depends on your household size, whether you are a dependent or independent student, and whether you have dependents. These numbers are adjusted for inflation each year as well. To find your EFC, wait until your Student Aid Report arrives after you fill out the required paperwork for the grant.
If you are applying for a Pell grant, you must also meet the general requirements for federal financial aid. These requirements include being a U.S. resident or eligible nonresident, having a valid Social Security number, registering with selective service if you are required to do so, certifying that you are not in default on a federal student loan and maintaining satisfactory academic progress. For a full list of requirements, visit the Student Aid Eligibility page on the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid website: studentaid.ed.gov.
To apply for a Federal Pell grant, you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA will ask you general information from last year's tax return as well as information about your household budget and your household size and composition. Once you fill out the FAFSA, contact the financial aid department at the university you are or plan to attend to find out what additional information you need to provide, such as copies of promissory notes or proof that you have completed financial aid counseling.