Pin It

Pell Grant Eligibility Requirements: Going Down the List

DylanMurphy | May 10, 2010 |

0 Comments | Rating: 0

The federal Pell grant is a very useful option for many people looking to take college courses. This grant offers students an opportunity to receive free money to use towards their college educations. A grant, unlike a loan or other type of financial aid tool, generally does not have to be paid back. The United States government has set a list of Pell Grant eligibility requirements that will determine which individuals are eligible to receive this federal grant.

The eligibility requirements that must be met in order to receive the federal Pell Grant have been calculated using a specific formula. This formula is known as the Federal Methodology. Any student who meets these Pell Grant eligibility requirements must also meet other requirements in order to be eligible for these funds. Any individual who wishes to receive the federal Pell grant must already be enrolled in a college, university, or other post secondary school. The school and courses must also meet certain requirements in order to be approved. The student must be enrolled in a course where they will obtain a degree at the end of the schooling. Satisfactory academic progress must also be maintained by the individual.

There are also other requirements that will determine if an individual is eligible for the Pell Grant. The individual must provide proof of financial need for the funds in order to remain in school. The person must also have obtained a high school diploma, a general equivalency diploma, or other satisfactory proof of prior education. The student must also be a United States citizen, permanent resident alien, or other qualified non-citizen. The individual must also have a valid United States' social security number.

In addition to these requirements, students must also certify certain financial information when applying for the grant. All males between the ages of 18 and 25 must provide proof that they have registered with the Selective Services. All individuals must also certify that they are using the funds received for education purposes only. They must also certify that they have not defaulted on any student loans or owe payments on any previously received financial aid for education.