how do i go about getting a pell grant?

Answer 1

Short answer is by being poor. But the long answer:

A Pell Grant is basically a need-based wad of free cash. When you fill out a FAFSA and submit it, some random folks at the Dept of Education calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is an important number because it is what the federal government expects your family to contribute each year for your education. So if you come from a low-income household, your EFC will most likely be zero. And in that case (assuming you are also working on your first undergraduate degree and some other details), you may receive a Pell Grant. However, if your family has a moderate-to-high income, you will most likely not receive one.

Fiddling around with how you declare your income (and your parents' incomes) is complicated when your family is well-off. If they don't pay for any of your schooling but they are making enough money to where the government says they should be paying, you could declare yourself independent. But chances are your school's financial aid office will make you jump through fiery hoops of doom, because they have to go through a lot of crap to change the bureaucrats' minds (mine wanted me to sign an affidavit stating that I did not receive any financial help from my family in any way and that I DO NOT HAVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THEM IN ANY FORM). The only reason I got a Pell Grant was because I turned 23 (at around age 23 or 24, your family's finances do not count in the FAFSA; depends on your birthday during academic year). Everyone's situation is different, and if your school's financial aid office is worth a damn they should be able to help you figure out how to finance your education. Here are some suggestions (besides the usual Stafford loan/scholarship song-and-dance you've probably heard before):

1.) Work study: if you qualify for work study, go for it! If anything, it can be a good bargaining chip for getting on-campus work (if your school offers it). For instance, my school has many job listings where ONLY work study students can apply. Also, working while in school can be good for resume building.

2.) Community college: My God, if I could do one thing over again it would be to take as many of my transferrable core curriculum courses as possible at a community college. They'll be cheaper (sometimes A LOT cheaper), most likely easier, and you can transfer those credits to your degree plan at your University. Just note that you have a limited amount of transferrable credits (12-24, depending on your major or university).

3.) Your state: Different states have different grants, too. I live in a stingy state (rhymes with Vexas), but other states should have programs devoted to financial aid.

4.) PLUS Loan: This is a loan for your parents to pay for your school (if they do in fact help out). This varies in how much is rewarded, BUT if they are turned down for one (i.e.-- their credit it poor, their income is insufficient, etc.), the government may increase your financial aid reward (please check with financial aid at your school for more information).

Of course if you must, get a private loan. The interest rates are higher than the Stafford Loans (btw, grab those Stafford Loans anyways; those are good rates and they should be dropping lower). After 1 academic year of college, your Stafford Loan allottments increase ($3,500 for the second year; $5,500 for each year afterwards).

I hope this was at least a little helpful. But PLEASE make sure you talk with your family, their financial planner/CPA/someone who is certified to dispense financial advice, and especially your school's financial aid office.

Answer 2

Go to fafsa.ed.gov and apply online. You will have to have several different papers you need to fill out the information correctly and the website will tell you specifically what. The amount you get on your pell grant depends on your parent's or guardian's income. Hope that helps!

Answer 3

You need to fill out the forms for FASA or look on the University's website under financial aid.

Also, talk to a financial aid advisor if you still need help.

Answer 4

just go to fafsa.gov and fill out the information. If you are not 23 yet or married don't bother, they won't give it to you, but once you hit 23 or get married, you will be rolling in the dough.

Whoever gave me this thumbs down has probably never applied for FAFSA before.

Answer 5

They will give it to you if you are in financial need. You should get the form in as soon as possible, because the amount you get is determined by when you turned in the form

Answer 6

Pseudo yuppie basically answered it for you.He said many things i didnt even know myself.Great tip about community colleges and them being way more affordable in transitional studies than state colleges.He's very right!

Answer 7

visit your college financial aid office and get the application for federal student aid (FAFSA)... they will be able to assist you in filling it out. You can also apply online at the following website:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Hope this helps!