A Federal Pell Grant is a cash "award" designed specifically for college-bound students in need, to help pay for tuition or other related expenses. A Pell Grant will not pay for a college education completely, but combined with scholarships and other forms of financial assistance it can go a long way to making your education affordable. There are specific Pell Grant requirements for receiving a the funds, which we'll discuss here in some detail. In a nutshell however, the student must meet the minimum criteria as follows:
- must have a demonstrable financial need
- must possess a high school diploma or GDE, or prove the ability to benefit from the educational program to which he is applying
- must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or other qualified foreign student
- must be legally allowed to live and study in the United States
- must have a valid social security number
- must make satisfactory academic progress
- must register with selective service - if a male citizen ages 18 to 25
- must not be in default on any other student loans
Demonstrable Financial Need
A legitimate financial need is the most important requirement for a Pell Grant, and the government will be very strict about this. On your application form, known as the FAFSA, you'll be asked to supply financial information about yourself, your parents, and your immediate family members. This is very detailed financial information unlike anything you've probably done before. The questions are very thorough and designed to determine whether or not you can get financial assistance from any other source or need grants to go back to school. If they determine you can't, you have fulfilled the biggest requirement for the Pell Grant.
High School Education
Any student who graduates from a public high school, accredited private school, or a non-accredited private school automatically fills this requirement. The same can be said for anyone who possesses a state GED. The third option was put in place to satisfy the needs of America's homeschoolers. Although homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, most states do not recognize a home school diploma as being legitimate. Furthermore, a large majority of homeschoolers refuse to get a GED because of the social stigma attached to it.
All that said homeschoolers who fulfill the laws of their state have received an education at least equal to their public-school peers. Therefore, if they can demonstrate that they have indeed followed the law, graduated from high school, and can benefit from a college education, then they are eligible for the Pell Grant. If you're a homeschooled student, or the parent of one, rest assured you have nothing to worry about when it comes to these grants. As long as you've documented your high school work you will be eligible.
Requirements for Legal Residence and Study
For non-citizens, the requirements by which one would be legally allowed to live and study in the U.S. is so convoluted, it's not practical to go through them in this space. Suffice it to say, if you're not a US citizen you must be living and studying here under one of the pre-approved government programs. If you are not here legally you will not be eligible for the Pell Grant.
Your citizenship status also relates to some of the other requirements. For example, you would not be expected to register with selective service nor would you necessarily have a social security number. For non-citizens these two requirements are waived.
Satisfactory Academic Performance
Next to demonstrable financial need, this is the next most important requirement. The federal government is not interested in providing health grants to second, third, and fourth year students who do not make adequate academic progress. You will have to substantiate your academic progress for every successive year you apply for a Pell Grant. What is defined as adequate academic progress will be determined by the individual's revealing your application, but it's fair to say you must carry at least a 2.50 grade point average.
Other Financial Indebtedness
If you are in default on any other student loans, or you have outstanding balances on any other federal financial aid programs, you will not qualify for Pell Grants. This was put in place to prevent students from "double dipping" with no intention of repaying that portion of their funding for which they are required to do so. The reason behind this lies in the fact that there is far more need than there are funds available, and the government does not want to give out limited money to those who least deserve it.