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The Critical Pell Grant Qualifications

danieldalessandro | Nov 2, 2010 |

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Many students find themselves struggling financially and may have difficulties funding their higher education. One of the biggest benefits awarded to a student is the Pell Grant. The Pell Grant is a federal grant awarded to students in need to pay for their college education. It is made available to low income students in undergraduate and qualifying post-baccalaureate programs. There are certain Pell Grant qualifications that students must meet first in order to receive this award however.

In order to qualify for a federal Pell Grant there are two main criteria the student absolutely must meet. The first of these Pell Grant qualifications is that the student must be enrolled in an undergraduate program or in an eligible post baccalaureate teaching credential program. The second major qualification is that the student must not be incarcerated in either a state or federal penal institution. If these two requirements for the Pell Grant are met, then the student qualifies for a federal Pell Grant.

The actual amount awarded is dependent on a few factors. The first of these factors being the student's expected family contribution, also known as EFC. It stands to reason that the more the family can contribute financially, the lower the grant amount will be. The next factor considered is the cost of attendance, as determined by the institution the student is attending. Whether the student is attending full time or part time is another determining factor, and the final factor is whether the student attends for a full academic year or less. These are only the considerations used to determine the amount of the Pell Grant, however, whether or not the student actually meets the appropriate federal Pell Grant qualifications must be established before these things are even considered.

Due to a stimulus package signed into law by President Obama in February 2009, the maximum amount awarded through the Federal Pell Grant rose this academic year and will rise yet again. In the 2009-2010 academic year, the federal Pell Grant rose by 500 dollars to make the maximum amount 5,400 dollars. In the 2010-2011 academic year it will rise by another 150 dollars making the new maximum 5,550 dollars for the academic year.