Pell Grants are free money, which does not need to be paid back. The most you can get for the 2010-2011 school year is $5,550. These grants are for undergraduates, although they are sometimes given to graduate students who are studying to become teachers. So, what are the Federal Pell Grant Eligibility Requirements?
The following is my summary of the Federal document “The EFC Formula, 2010-2011” on ed.gov. I have attempted to turn their legalese into plain English, but see resources link for exact wording and complete information.
Federal Pell Grant Eligibility Requirements
The amount that you can receive from a Pell Grant depends upon:
- Financial need: based upon tax and financial information from you or from your parents, depending upon whether you are considered a “dependent” student or an “independent” student.
- Tuition at your college: cost of attendance.
- Enrollment status: will you attend full-time or part-time?
- Length of time enrolled: will you be attending the entire year?
I have been doing research on several different sites, but the Federal Government handbooks and regulations are obscure and change at the whim of the legislators and regulators. Double check with your school to see if the guidelines have changed.
Independent Student or Dependent Student?
The first thing you need to know is if your “financial need” will be based on your financial situation or your parents’ financial situation. Here are the highlights of the guidelines, but I cannot cover all of the variables that might affect your grant. Talk to the school to see if your specific case is covered by one of the exceptions.
In general, if you meet one of the requirements below, you are considered independent:
- born before January 1, 1987 (over 23 years old, approximately)
- married (separated is okay)
- in a graduate program.
- in the military or a veteran.
- have a child or someone who is your dependent, excluding your spouse.
- as a teen, you were an orphan, a ward of the court, or in foster care.
- an emancipated minor (or similar special circumstances)
In general, I feel it is better to be considered an independent because your parents probably make more money than you do. If your parents are low income, this may not matter.
The EFC Formula, 2010 – 2011
EFC stands for Expected Family Contribution. The EFC is how much your family is expected to contribute toward your college costs.
A grant is money that does not need to be repaid. A loan does need to be repaid. The Pell Grant is not the only college grant, so you should be talking to people or emailing people to find other grants for which you might qualify.
To find out how much money you can get in a Pell Grant you have to fill out a form that looks similar to an income tax return.
EFC Formula Worksheet
There are 6 EFC worksheets and 6 ways that your contribution might be calculated. The following is a simplification and does not give all specifics:
- Formula A: this form is used if you are a dependent student. That means your parents’ finances will be used to determine how much money you will receive. You will use the simplified A worksheet if anyone in your family qualifies for Federal benefits like SSI and your family income is below $50,000.
- Formula B: this form is used if you are considered independent but you have no dependents other than your spouse. If you have no children, this will probably be the form you will use. You will use the simplified B worksheet if anyone in your family qualifies for federal benefits and your income is below $50,000.
- Formula C: this form is used if you are considered independent but you have dependents other than your spouse. If you have children, this will probably be the form you will use. You will use the simplified C worksheet if anyone in your family qualifies for federal benefits like SSI or Food Stamps and your income is below $50,000.
Automatic Zero EFC
Some people do not need to use the worksheets to see how much money they might qualify for. The phrase “Automatic Zero EFC” means that your family will not be expected to contribute to your tuition and other college costs.
However, this does not mean that the government will automatically cover all of your tuition. It does mean that you are more likely to qualify for the entire Pell Grant.
Again, this is just a summary and the exact wording can be found by clicking the link below in resources.
- For dependents: if your family received, or were eligible to receive, federal benefits like SSI or food stamps, and they earned under $30,000, you will probably qualify for a Zero EFC.
- For independents with children: If you or your wife received, or were eligible to receive, federal benefits like SSI or food stamps, and you made under $30,000, you will probably qualify for a Zero EFC.
Remember that all of this information is subject to change and everyone’s situation is different. However, if you talk to someone at a school, they will do their best to help you find the money to go to college. And, if you pick the right degree, going to school will be worth it.
More Articles:
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Best Jobs for Single Moms & College Info: Best Healthcare Jobs and Non-Clinical Healthcare Careers
Resources:
The EFC Formula, 2010-2011 ed.gov (accessed on November 2, 2010)
(If your parent died in Iraq or Afghanistan while in the military you may qualify automatically.)
"Federal Pell Grant Program" ed.gov (accessed on November 2, 2010)
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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