Grants for college are a wonderful way to fund your college education without having to be financially obligated to pay them back. There are many grants available, but the one that is the largest and most common is the Federal Pell Grant.
Grants are normally funded and supported by the federal government or state. The institution basically takes a look at your financial situation, how likely you are to pay for your education and also your grades and what classes you will be taking; some additional determining factors are the students cost of housing, supplies, books, and tuition.
It is suggested that you apply for more than one grant if you can. There are a multitude of grants for college available for different situations within your community. It is recommended to apply for more than one because the Pell grant does not cover the entire tuition like they used to; tuition fees have drastically increased over the years. There are grants that are specifically awarded to women, pregnant women, nursing students, students in the teaching field, etc.
In regards to the Pell grant, the EFC or the Expected Family Contribution number is calculated to determine the student’s eligibility. The student must not already have a bachelor’s degree and must be a United States citizen or an eligible non-citizen. The maximum amount that can be received from the Pell grant is $5,500 for the school year of 2010-2011.
Don’t worry if your parents make too much money, as the Pell grant is not solely determined on that.
To check your eligibility for a Pell grant, you can search online and download the PDF file called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA. Print this file out, fill it out completely and return it to the specified address or just fill it out online and submit it. Lastly, if you are not able to locate the form online, then request a form from either your college of choice or by calling the Federal Student Aid Information center.
If you are in need of financial aid grants for college each year, then it is recommended to fill out the FAFSA at the beginning of each school year before the deadline.
Hello! I am currently a full-time student at Estrella Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. I am attending the Medical Assistant Ceritificate program at their Southwest Skill Center, my graduation date is July 2011. I would like to continue my education in the medical field and become a registered nurse, do I qualify for a pell grant if I am over 30-years-old and have not worked for a year?
Respectfuly,
Claudia