Poverty Guideline for Pell Grants

Pell grants help students living below a certain poverty level attend college.

Pell Grants are federal grants for low-income students enrolled as undergraduate students, as well as for a limited number of graduate students. To be able to apply for a Pell Grant, the student must meet certain financial guidelines set by the Department of Education.

Calculation

The Department of Education determines which students receive Pell Grants. The department uses a complex financial calculation to determine eligibility. Besides income level, the Department of Education also takes into account the taxes you or your family pay, the employment status of you or or parents, the number of family members who have attended college, the number of people living in your dwelling unit, and the amount in the family's checking and savings account.

Guidelines

The federal government indicates what income levels and living situations may qualify your for a Pell Grant. In most of the 48 continental U.S. states, a single person with an income of $16,245 in 2009 will most likely be eligible for a Pell Grant. As of 2009, a family of eight with an income of $55,515 is most likely eligible for a Pell Grant, if other factors do not nullify the calculation.

Applying

To be eligible for a Pell Grant you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form each year you are in school. The school you are attending will notify you if you are eligible for a Pell Grant.

References

• Department of Education: Federal Pell Grant Program
• Department of Education: Federal TRIO Programs Current-Year Low Income Levels
• The Pell Grant: Pell Grant Income Requirements