Pell Grant Application
The Pell Grant application, which is also called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is approved and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Each year, this government agency provides financial assistance to students from low income families with a desire to attend college.
How to Apply for Federal Pell Grant
In order to fill out a Pell Grant application, you must first gain access to it. This is an easy find.
If you’re a high school student, you can pick up a Federal Pell Grant application along with the instruction booklet from the counselor office. College students can obtain this application from their school’s financial aid office.
Libraries are also known to carry Federal Pell Grant applications. It’s mostly placed next to the filing tax forms. If it’s not in this location, then it’s likely at the information desk.
Pell Grant applications can also be obtained from the source itself, the U.S. Department of Education. Just call 1-800-4-FED-AID and request a Federal Pell Grant application for the year you’re seeking financial assistance in; for example, 2010-2011. The U.S. Department of Education also accepts written requests at the following address: Federal Student Aid Information Center, P.O. Box 84, Washington, D.C. 20044.
The best and fastest way to apply for Federal Pell Grant is online. The Pell Grant application online form is available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Simply follow the instructions. Your Pell Grant application online will be processed faster than the paper application. It is highly recommended that you fill out your Federal Pell Grant application online. The form will help you correct errors, it will be submitted instantly, and you will get immediate confirmation that your Pell Grant application is in the right hands.
Once you have access to a Pell Grant application – be it paper or online – don’t procrastinate in applying for this free federal money. You should apply early. Since this is free money, it’s distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
The Federal Pell Grant application should be completed before beginning your freshman year. You can’t wait until you start your freshman year of college to apply. In the consequential years, you must renew your Federal Pell Grant application. In addition, regardless if you’re a freshman or veteran college student, all Federal Pell Grant applications must be completed by July 1st every year.
The Aftermath of Federal Pell Grant Applications
After you have you apply for Federal Pell Grant, you will be notified either by email or snail mail about your Pell Grant eligibility. You may also receive notification about your eligibility for other government funded programs – if you qualify.
This information will be presented in a report called the Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR provides details on how much Pell Grant money you will be granted as a recipient.
Don’t miss out on Pell Grant money. It’s worth applying for one main reason: it’s free money. Unlike student loans, Pell Grants never require repayment. Another good reason to apply is this money allows you the chance to fulfill your career goals – which probably calls for a college education. So consider your goals and fill out a Pell Grant application.
