Question about Federal Pell Grant for College

[pixiedustaholic]

Does anyone know what the financial guidelines are for receiving a Pell Grant? From what I read online, it is based on financial need and generally for lower income...is that correct? The reason I am asking is that I was entering our information into the Net Price Calculator on the website of the University my DD has her heart set on. We are a family of 4 and not what I would consider low income. The Pell Grant for $5600 came up as part of the financial aid we would qualify for. It has never came up before when I was entering information. I have done it several times and it continues to come up. I wasn't sure if there is a glitch in their website. $5600 sure would come in handy. I also saw a story on our local news last night that said over 2 million students qualified for the Pell Grant but did not apply. Anyway, I just didn't want to get too excited at the possibility.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

"Would" should be "could" as the aid package is decided by the school.

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[unicornshoes]

I qualified and received the max Pell Grant all four years in college. But, to put things into perspective, my mom is a single parent of 3 college age daughters and has been disabled since I was a sophomore in high school; she is unable to work and lives off of a very, very small check every month.

What the fafsa says is just an estimate. I'm pretty sure the university has a final say. The university may even ask you to submit paperwork to prove income and what not.

Hope this was kind of helpful!

 

[pryncess527]

Does anyone know what the financial guidelines are for receiving a Pell Grant? From what I read online, it is based on financial need and generally for lower income...is that correct? The reason I am asking is that I was entering our information into the Net Price Calculator on the website of the University my DD has her heart set on. We are a family of 4 and not what I would consider low income. The Pell Grant for $5600 came up as part of the financial aid we would qualify for. It has never came up before when I was entering information. I have done it several times and it continues to come up. I wasn't sure if there is a glitch in their website. $5600 sure would come in handy. I also saw a story on our local news last night that said over 2 million students qualified for the Pell Grant but did not apply. Anyway, I just didn't want to get too excited at the possibility.

It may be possible, but will probably depend on the income levels of other students accepted that year as well. Filling out FAFSA early is the best way to give yourself a chance at Pell, or any other aid. It is true that millions of student who would be eligible for aid do not even fill out FAFSA, and it's really the ticket to everything these days. Even our need-based college level scholarships use FAFSA

 

[pixiedustaholic]

"Would" should be "could" as the aid package is decided by the school.

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You are right, it does say it is a tentative financial aid package but I was just wondering about the possibility. It has never shown up before when I entered our information.

 

[pryncess527]

You are right, it does say it is a tentative financial aid package but I was just wondering about the possibility. It has never shown up before when I entered our information.

If it shows up, I think you have to assume it is a possibility. I don't really think you can get more clear information, to my knowledge there is no clear and obvious income line in the sand, there are too many factors at play. Enter your income as 10x what it is and if it still lists Pell Grant, then perhaps their calculator is flawed. If it doesn't, then maybe you will get it! I would never count on Pell though.

 

[runwad]

Ya well let me tell you my experience with those NPC. It said we would qualify for the Subsidized Stafford Loan and the Pell Grant. I was so excited. Ya not what I got back from filling out the fasa. We only qualified for a PORTION of a susidized stafford not the whole 5k. And NO PELL GRANT! Don't put a lot of stock into what those NPC say, that's my 2 cents! Good Luck

 

[4shinystars]

We just got the finaid package for DD's 1st choice college. Pell is $1380/yr and family income is in the $50-$55k/yr range, 4 in family. Unless you make MUCH less than that, it is an error. Also on the FAFSA SAR you should see what your estimated Pell Grant is.

 

[MrsPete]

Does anyone know what the financial guidelines are for receiving a Pell Grant? From what I read online, it is based on financial need and generally for lower income...is that correct? The reason I am asking is that I was entering our information into the Net Price Calculator on the website of the University my DD has her heart set on. We are a family of 4 and not what I would consider low income. The Pell Grant for $5600 came up as part of the financial aid we would qualify for. It has never came up before when I was entering information. I have done it several times and it continues to come up. I wasn't sure if there is a glitch in their website. $5600 sure would come in handy. I also saw a story on our local news last night that said over 2 million students qualified for the Pell Grant but did not apply. Anyway, I just didn't want to get too excited at the possibility.

Apply so you'll know for sure whether you qualify, but I personally doubt the numbers. How could anyone possibly know how many students who didn't apply would qualify?