How to Apply for Pell Grants
Applying for federally funded education programs, such as Pell Grants, is a common procedure for most college aged students. In recent years, this process has been streamlined and modernized by the government. Students today can, and most often do, apply for needed Pell Grants online using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Here are the simple steps needed to apply funding of this type.
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Instructions
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Eligibility
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First you need to be sure you are eligible for Pell Grants. While this type of grant is the easiest to apply for, it does have eligibility requirements which must be met.
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Figure out how much it will cost you to attend your chosen school, as you will most likely have to apply to many grants or loan programs to supplement the Pell Grant.
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Next you will need to answer three questions to ensure you meet basic requirements of the Federal Pell Grant Program: Are you currently enrolled, or plan to enroll, in an accredited institution; do you have all needed financial and personal records to apply; and have you met the basic criteria for all guidelines.
FAFSA Website
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Get on a computer with internet access and be ready to be there for about an hour.
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Have all documentation with you at the time you apply; you need your Social Security card, your proof of identity, tax records and W-2 for both yourself and your parents, going back at least one year, as well as all bank account records for yourself and your parents.
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Clear your browsers History, Temporary files, and Cache before proceeding; the FAFSA website can help you with instructions for this.
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Go to the FAFSA website and read over "Before Beginning a FAFSA" worksheet and checklist before continuing on to the Pell Grant application page.
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Get your personal PIN number which allows you to continue working on your application at a later time should you need to log off or resume the application at a later time.
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Proceed to the Pell Grant application page and begin working on the application
Follow-Up and SAR
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Completion of the Pell Grant application will bring you to the Student Aid Report page. This will tell you all information you submitted to the FAFSA
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Review the SAR to ensure accuracy. This document will tell you if you are eligible and for what amount
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Allow up to two weeks for your application to be processed.
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Keep your PIN. Your PIN is used throughout this process, from beginning to end, to sign into your personal account.
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Tips & Warnings
Read through the FAFSA site before beginning the application to make sure you understand the process. Print out a copy of an application beforehand to help locate all needed information. Pell Grants are useable at only one college at a time.
Falsifying information will get you banned from all future applications for federal aid. Be sure to apply early as there are deadlines and a "first come first serve" basis.
