Pell Grant Information
The Pell Grant was established in 1965 under the Higher Education Act of 1965 Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1; 20 U.S.C. 1070a and provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students and certain post-baccalaureate students. President Lyndon B. Johnson implemented the HEA as a part of his administration’s agenda to assist and improve higher education in the United States. This was the initial legislation to benefit students of lower and middle-income. The HEA program not only included grants but also low interest loans to students who did not fully qualify to receive grants. In 1972, Title IX Higher Education Amendments were a response to the distribution of grant funding. Senator Claiborne Pell set forth the initial movements to reform the HEA.
The Pell Grant has been able to assist low-income students pay for their college education throughout the decades. The Pell Grant can be used at any of the 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Qualified participated will either receive a credit towards their current tuition/school expenses or the participating school will disperse a check to the qualified students. Students can use their Pell Grant fund towards any education related expenses, including but not limited to electronic devices, school textbooks, and room & board.
The Pell Grant is based on financial need of the student, which is determined by the U.S. Department of Education using a standard formula. The standard formula will calculate an EFC, which is also known as the expected family contribution. The higher the EFC, the lower the chances are that you will be able to qualify for a Pell Grant.


Students will be able to receive an EFC by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application, which determines if you are eligible for a Pell Grant based on your current income, financial status, assets, number of family members in school, number of dependants, and the cost of attendance. The FAFSA can be completed either online, PDF file, or through paper application and must be submitted by your state’s FAFSA deadline. Each state has a different deadline, so it’s important to know your own states due date to qualify for federal student aid and a Pell Grant.
When students file a FAFSA form, the student receives a Student Aid Report (SAR), which provides the student's EFC score within the report. The school in which the student will or is currently attending will also receive the SAR Report results, which will be used to establish the student’s financial aid award package.
Pell Grant Information | Pell Grant Requirements | Pell Grant Amount | Pell Grant Application |
Other useful Financial Aid Information : Pell Grant Qualifications | Direct Loan | Stafford Loan
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