How to Apply for College: The College Application Process
You will want to be a savvy researcher and consumer of information in order to choose the right college. You will want to keep track of majors, costs,...
A Pell grant is one of the most sought after forms of financial aid. That’s because a Federal grant is essentially free money, and does not need to be repaid after graduation.
If you’re currently exploring options for funding a graduate degree, you might be wondering if graduate students are eligible to receive a Pell grant. We’ll answer that question in the article below, and offer up some alternative funding options to cover the cost of your education.
The federal Pell grant is a federal grant given to students with demonstrated financial need. Students can get the Pell grant for 12 semesters, and the annual amount ranges from $650 to $6,895. The Pell grant does not have to be repaid after graduation.
Unfortunately for graduate and doctoral students, only undergraduate students are eligible for the Pell grant. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you cannot receive a Pell grant. The only exception is students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program.
The good news is that grad students can still complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and receive federal financial aid. Filling out the FAFSA will give them access to other types of financial aid.
FAFSA eligibility depends on your citizenship status. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents can complete the FAFSA; DACA students do not qualify.
The FAFSA will ask for contact, personal and financial information to determine the type of federal aid you qualify for. After you submit the FAFSA, the federal government will determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), or the amount you can afford to pay for college every year. The lower your EFC, the more need-based aid you will receive.
Each school has its own FAFSA deadline, so visit the financial aid office’s website to figure out when the application is due. If you miss the due date, you will not be eligible for federal aid.
Filling out the FAFSA will give them access to other types of financial aid.
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