Federal Pell Grant...New Qualifications

by Naomi
(Philadelphia)

The new federal Pell grant qualifications have helped me. Before, I just missed getting an award. Now, I'm going to get the minimum, but the better news is that because I qualify for the Pell, I can qualify for other financial aid that was not available to me before. I will be eligible for a GEAR UP scholarship because I'm Pell-eligible and I have been offered a need-based grant from the school.

If this legislation had not passed, I would have had to take out extra loans to make up the difference. Although it may be hard for community college students this year, they will get more money in the future. The debt load of private school students is much higher and so it should be a priority for any new education laws. I hope that more will be done to lower costs for students like me.