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Federal Pell Grant, Apply for Free Grants for College

A federal Pell grant application is easier to do in 2012-2013 and now the grants are worth more than ever. This program is your best strategy to graduate with as little college loan debt as possible.

There are now even more changes to this program from the time Congress passed and President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. In December 2011, an omnibus spending bill was passed that changed several of the health bill's provisions affecting Pell grants.

Maximum income requirements which were raised for the 2011-2012 school year, and were supposed to start increasing in 2013 to reflect annual changes in the Consumer Price Index, have been cut again. Thousands of students who were just barely eligible for an award, will not get one in 2012-2013.

However, the maximum and minimum amount of the award has not changed from 2011-2012. And it is still possible that increases could occur automatically each year, unless Congress votes not to allow these.

Federal Pell Grant Funding

Funding for the awards has gone up dramatically the last few years, although individual awards have not increased as much.

The main reason that Pell funding has gone up (aside from legislation) is that more students are applying and getting the grant aid they qualify for.

It is important to note that the packaging of financial aid starts with your Pell award. This grant cannot be reduced because of other aid, whether military, state, institutional or private. It is your other financial student aid (loans, state grants, scholarship awards) which can be reduced if the amounts add up to more than the cost of attendance.

So what's new for 2012-2013?

More questions skipped on the form, no minimum enrollment hours continued, a lower income allowed, summer awards canceled forever, the awards themselves at historic highs, and a new regulation that schools must disburse Pell funds by the seventh day of the start of the payment period (school session).

Learn about federal grant changes.

Here is all the information you need- Paragraphs lead to pages with more about each topic:

What is a Pell Grant?

This page gives you an overview of the grant program- what it's purpose is, some background on what it used to be like, what it can do for you now and where its going in the future. More students receive these awards than ever before. And most importantly, it can qualify you for other financial aid programs as well. Colleges and states rely on this program to help them decide how to apportion their own aid. Learn about what it is...

Pell Grant Eligibility

This explains who is actually eligible to apply. Before income qualifications are even considered, what are the prerequisites? Does your situation meet the standards for federal grants for college? How is eligibility documented and checked? What changes are likely to be made to the program as far as eligibility? (Most students are eligible for consideration, but its best to check and make sure.) Check your eligibility...

Pell Grant Qualifications

These are the guidelines for financial need that will determine whether or not you will get an award, and how much of an award you will get. There is a different FAFSA formula for each type of student looking for college financial aid. Income is not the only consideration, although it has always played a large role. What are the circumstances that can minimize its importance? Find out about your qualifications...

Pell Grant Amounts

A look at the actual numbers for the awards...What is the maximum amount? What is the minimum amount? What is the average amount that students will get in 2012-2013?

Also, what will these awards look in the future- how are the amounts going to change in the next couple of years? And a look at how these grants got to their present levels. See amounts...

Pell Grant Application

These are the important facts you need to know about how to apply for free grants (online), as well as tips to improve your chances for an award. There are links to help you find out your FAFSA deadline, to download a printable FAFSA application and of course one to the online FAFSA forms. Contact information for free assistance in filling out the application is also included. But actually filling out the form is not the hardest part- planning your finances in advance to get the best result, is. Read about the application...

Pell Grant Form

This page is a walk-through of the actual online application. The information required for each of its seven parts is detailed here, so that you know what to expect before you start. The 2012-2013 form is significantly different than earlier versions. The questions you are asked depend on your previous answers, so that this form is not actually the same for everyone.

But for anyone, it is the shortest, easiest FAFSA that has ever been required. Review the form...

Why Apply for Pell Grant?

This explains who should apply and why there really are no drawbacks to simply filling out the application. It explains when the best time to do it is and the page lists the different methods of how applicants can submit their information. Find out if you should apply...

Pell Grant Calculator

This calculator uses the latest 2010 formula (which stays mostly the same for 2012-2013) that the U.S. Department of Education uses to figure out awards. It takes into account all the changes that have been made this year. You can use it to check which amounts you might qualify for at different schools- provided you know your FAFSA EFC (expected family contribution), the expected cost of attendance (COA) and the enrollment status you intend to use. Use the calculator...

Pell Grant Requirements

After you get your award, you are expected to meet these standards so that your money is not reduced during the year and so that you can continue to get awards for each school year you have financial need. (You need to reapply every year for any federal money.) Find out how this program compares with other federal ones in its requirements. This is the one area in which no changes have been proposed yet, but its a good idea to become familiar with what you need to accomplish in advance, so there are no surprises. Learn the requirements...

Federal Pell Grant Eligibility...Two Awards in One Year

**This program is no longer in effect.** This is a fairly new development that allows you to collect up to double your award within the same school year. It can be especially useful for nontraditional students who have jobs or family obligations, and are hesitating about whether to go back to school. Once you've qualified for the basic award, see if you meet the requirements for a second one so that you can get your degree faster, without spending more money out-of-pocket. See the latest information about federal eligibility...

Pell Grant Students (By Year)

The number of students receiving a Pell award has almost doubled in the past decade. There is little doubt that expanding the qualifications accounts for this increase.

Many more nontraditional students (over the age of 25) are taking advantage of the fact that this award now covers most community college tuition and fees.

.You can submit questions about this program, if you have not found information here that answers them. Please check other submissions first to see if someone asked a similar question. Questions with the same answer will not be published. Ask Pell grants questions.

Perhaps you'd like seeing these pages, now . . .

Federal financial aid form

Federal Direct PLUS loans

Cheap college textbooks

*Federal Student Aid Data Center

In this recession cycle, this program can be your key to education and retraining if you are an older student. If you are just coming out of high school, it can make the difference in what you decide to do with your life.

Pell grants make college possible for so many students in so many different situations. Even if you think its hopeless, apply anyway.

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Returning Pell Grant Funds

Did you know that if you receive a Pell grant and withdraw from school, you may have to return this "free" money?

Federal regulations require your school to calculate how much of your Pell grant award you earned by the date you withdraw. Only if you stay until the 60% (school calendar) date will you have earned 100% of your money. If you leave before that date, the amount of grant money you earned will be figured on a prorata basis.

The moral of course is to be very certain that you can stick it out, before accepting your financial aid award.