Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell Grants are direct money awards which are given to college students through participating educational institutions. In order to qualify for Pell Grants, students must demonstrate financial need and must not have received their first bachelor's degree. Students who are enrolled in certain post baccalaureate programs leading to teacher certification or licensure may also qualify for Pell Grants.

The purpose of the Federal Pell Grant program is to promote access to postsecondary education for low-income citizens. Before applying for Federal Pell Grant funds, a student should verify the school they want to attend is a participant in the Pell Grant program. Students may not receive Pell Grants from more than one school at a time.

The amount of a Pell Grant awarded to an individual student is dependent on the student's financial need and is determined by a formula used by the U.S. Department of Education, the student's expected family contribution, cost of attendance at the school, whether the student is full-time or part-time, and whether the student attends for the entire academic year or less than a year.

After a student files a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the student will receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) or the school will receive an ISIR (Institutional Student Information Record). The ISIR will notify the student if he/she is eligible for a Pell Grant and will state the student's estimated family contribution toward his education, and the amount of the Pell Grant, if any.

Depending on what educational institution the student attends, Pell Grant funds awarded may be credited to the student's school account, paid directly by check to the student, or paid out in a combination of these methods.

To find out more about Federal Pell Grants visit the official program website at ed.gov. Feel free to browse other available educational grants in our U.S. Department of Education Federal Grants listing here at FederalGrants.com.