| Financing your higher education is often | | | | do I get one |
| overwhelming, especially if you are from a | | | | In order to apply for a Federal grant you have to |
| low-income family. Some lower-income individuals | | | | complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid |
| don?t even think about going to college because of | | | | (FAFSA). You can complete a FAFSA online or |
| their financial standing. Yet, there?s a solution. It?s | | | | through your school?s Financial Aid office. |
| called the Pell Grant. | | | | If you wish to do this online, you much first obtain a |
| What is it? | | | | PIN (Personal Identification Number.) You can do this |
| A Pell Grant is a financial-needs-based Federal grant | | | | at |
| that you don?t ever have to pay back. The Federal | | | | As you fill out your FAFSA, you will want to have a |
| government began awarding it in the 1960?s and it | | | | few documents nearby. Some of these documents |
| was named after U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell. The | | | | are your Social Security card (you won't need this if |
| reason behind the creation of this grant was to help | | | | you have your SSN memorized), driver's license, last |
| the poor receive a college education. Because of this, | | | | years W-2 form, previous years Federal Income Tax |
| it is only given to low-income undergraduate students. | | | | Return, your parents' Federal Income Tax return |
| These grants can only be used at accredited colleges | | | | from the previous year, and a couple other things. |
| and universities. Your school will use the grant money | | | | After completing a FAFSA, you?ll be sent a Student |
| to pay your tuition and fees or they will pay you | | | | Aid Report (SAR) which will tell you whether or not |
| directly, or both. Funds are disbursed no less than | | | | you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. |
| twice a year. | | | | This academic year?s FAFSA deadline has already |
| Amount You Can Receive: | | | | passed. The applications are no longer available. |
| The amount of money you will receive from the Pell | | | | Regardless of this, do not give up hope! Apply for a |
| Grant depends on your family?s income, the cost of | | | | Pell grant for 2008-2009. The deadline is June 30, |
| attendance, and if you?re enrolled full time or part | | | | 2008. Don?t miss the deadline! |
| time. | | | | NOTE: Use of this article requires links to be intact. |
| The 2006-2007 maximum Pell grant available was | | | | To learn more about grants and scholarships please |
| $4,050. For 2007-2008 it is now $4,310. As you can | | | | visit our Student Finance Options page. Being a |
| see, the maximum is subject to change each year | | | | college student herself, Elise Fisher enjoys writing |
| depending on program funding. | | | | articles to help college students learn more and other |
| Pell grant money is helping low-income families all over | | | | finance options. |
| the United States send their children to college. How | | | | |