How to Claim Income for a Pell Grant

Your tax return is one type of proof of income.

Pell grants are given to college students who come from a low-income background or, if they're filing as independent, are low-income themselves. Pell grant applications are done through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), an online application that goes to the government and to the financial aid office of your college. You will also have to submit other documentation to your financial aid office.

Things You'll Need

• W2 forms
• Tax returns

Instructions

1. Fill out your FAFSA online. Write down the amount of income your parents have, if you're a dependent student. Write down your income if you're an independent student.

2. Submit the FAFSA, being sure that you've given the correct codes to have it transmitted to your university's financial aid office. The FASFA website provides a drop down and search menu to quickly locate your University or college.

3. Accept the Pell Grant when it is offered to you in your financial aid package. This should arrive at your primary address as a letter from your school. You will need to check the appropriate box that indicates your acceptance and mail the paper back immediately.

4. Submit the required documentation to your financial aid office. If you're a dependent student, you will have to give copies of your parents' W2 forms and tax returns. If you're an independent student, you will have to submit your own tax information.

5. Wait for confirmation of your awards. Follow up with the financial aid office to submit any requested information. This usually take several weeks and will arrive via mail. If you do not meet the requirements set forth by FASFA, such as full-time and part-time student credits, you can lose your awards and you will be charged the full-tuition amount by your school.

References

• Vernon College: The Pell Grant
• IRS: Taxable Income for Students
• Expect More: Federal Pell Grants

Resources

• FAFSA