Guide to U.S. Federal Pell Eligibility

Pell grants are a type of loan offered by the U.S. Department of Education that helps fund a person’s way through college. It was renamed after U.S. Senator Clairborne Pell, but it was originally known as the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant program.

Repayment of these grants is not required. Instead, financial need is determined according to income. The main criterion of qualification is to be under a certain income level and to not be supported by your parents.

Usually older students who are at least 25 years old usually would receive more money. This is because they are no longer able to be claimed as dependents on their parents’ tax forms. The age requirement for being considered “independent” for financial aid status may vary.

In order to be eligible for Federal Pell Grants you must meet certain requirements. A summary of these is shown below:

• It should be obvious that you exhibit financial need.
• You should have a high school diploma, or you should have received a GED or H.S.E.D.
• You need to either be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• You should have a valid Social Security Number. The exception would be if you were from the Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or Republic of Palau.
• If you are male you should register with the Selective Service.
• You must not currently be in default on a federal student loan.
• You must not currently owe money on a federal student grant.
• You promise to use the Pell Grant money only for educational purposes.

Disability Eligibility

Students who have disabilities should be able to receive federal student aid. They usually do when they apply to the Federal Pell Grant Program, FSEOG Program, or Federal Work-Study Program.

The first step to enrollment in one of these programs is to have been enrolled or accepted in a comprehensive transition and postsecondary program. You should also maintain satisfactory progress and you must meet the eligibility criteria given to you by other students. 

Stipulations

According to the Higher Education Act of 1965 you cannot receive any financial aids if you have been convicted of the sale or possession of drugs. This speaks specifically if a time when the sale or possession of substances occurred during a time when a student was receiving some type of federal financial aids.

This includes the receipt of all types of grants, loans, and work-study. Further information about this can be found on the government FAFSA website.

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