Pell Grants

The Federal government provides annual Federal Pell Grant awards of up to $4,500 to cover the costs of tuition and fees and related expenses. Unlike student loans, under most circumstances, you don't need to repay a Pell Grant award.

You can qualify for a Pell Grant as an undergraduate. You may also qualify for a Pell Grant if you are enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program. There's no age limit for a Pell Grant, either. You can qualify whether you're attending college immediately after high school or resuming your education later in life.

Eligibility Requirements
Your eligibility for a Pell Grant depends on how much the government calculates your family should be able to contribute toward your education. The amount of Pell Grant you actually receive depends on how much your certificate program costs, whether you attend full time or part time, and whether you attend for a full academic year.

Applying for Pell Grants
To apply for a Pell Grant, complete the FAFSA. Most colleges and universities require that you complete a FAFSA as part of the financial aid application process, so your eligibility for a Pell Grant will automatically be calculated. If you're not sure whether you applied for a Pell Grant, contact your school's financial aid office to check the status of your application.

Be Honest on Your Application
Despite what some online scammers might imply, there's no secret formula to getting a Pell Grant, and there's no application fee. Because your application information is checked against IRS tax records, it's crucial that you're honest on your FAFSA. Dishonesty on your FAFSA can disqualify you from receiving a Pell Grant and can even disqualify you from attending college.

The Federal government allocates Pell Grant money each year for undergraduate programs. You can receive a Pell Grant award if you're taking courses online to complete your certificate program. Complete your FAFSA and find out how much Pell Grant you can receive.