Once called Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, Pell Grants are the government’s way of encouraging education by awarding money on the basis of need, which can be used by the awarded student at one of the 5400 participating post secondary institutions (colleges and universities, for the most part). Need is determined by a formula developed by the U.S. Department of Education, and is calculated using data gathered from the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You can submit your FAFSA for free online at any time during the year.
These grants are normally awarded to students who have not completed undergraduate level work yet. If you are seeking to complete your undergraduate education, but have been unable to do so due to finances, file your FAFSA and look into your eligibility for a Pell Grant right away. Grants, along with other financial aid provided by the school of your choice, may very well enable you to obtain the education you need to go into the working world and successfully land the career you want.
The maximum annual award for a Pell Grant is currently at $5350, an increase of over $600 from the 2008-2009 award year. At many colleges and universities, this is sufficient to pay at least one quarter’s worth of schooling for a full-time student, meaning that you can supplement it with low-interest loans and work study and perhaps take classes without taking any money out of your existing pocket.
When researching the policy of Pell Grants in regards to your school, keep in mind that you will only be considered eligible for this grant for the first four years of your undergraduate career. This means that if you are attending a six-year program, such as the pharmacy field of study, you will only be eligible for the first four years of your college career.
Please visit Government Education Grants For Women for more information.
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