Does a Dependent Student Claim a Pell Grant?

Dependent students are usually less likely to qualify for Pell Grants than independent students.

As a dependent student, your parents are expected to pay the bulk of your expenses for your education after you finish high school. However, there are some circumstances under which a dependent student may qualify for a Pell Grant. Consult with the financial aid department of your institution of higher education for specific information concerning your personal situation.

Pell Grants

Pell Grants are designed to increase the likelihood that students who would not otherwise be able to afford a college education are able to attend college or university. Unlike loans, Pell Grants are not subject to repayment. With a Pell Grant, unlike with work study or a part-time job, you don't have to work while you are enrolled in school to receive the money. The amount of money you can receive varies according to the cost of your education and your family circumstances. The maximum Pell Grant varies; the federal government announces the maximum amount each year.

General Eligibility

To be eligible for a Pell Grant, you must have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, along with a valid Social Security number. You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen enrolled in an undergraduate program expected to lead to a degree. Men between the ages of 18 and 25 must register with Selective Service, and all students must show "satisfactory progress" toward achieving a degree. With few exceptions, if you are in default on one or more student loans or have a drug-related criminal conviction, you may not receive a Pell Grant.

Dependent Student Defined

The internal Revenue Service defines a dependent as someone that can be claimed as a deduction on another person's tax return. According to the IRS, you are a dependent if you are child living with your parents except for when you are enrolled in classes, receive more than half your financial support from them, and do not file a joint tax return with another person. You must be under age 19, or under age 24 if you are enrolled in school full time. However, if you have children who receive more than half of their financial support from you or if you are enrolled in a master's or doctoral degree program, many schools and universities will consider you an independent student regardless of your other circumstances.

Expected Family Contribution

You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for the Pell Grant. Once your FAFSA is processed, you will receive a report that includes your expected family contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount of money that you and your family must contribute each year toward your higher education expenses. It varies according to your household size, income for both you and your parents, whether you are an independent or dependent student, and how many household members are attending school at the same time. The maximum EFC to qualify for a Pell Grant varies; the government announces the new maximum EFC for each year. The maximum EFC to qualify for a Pell Grant for the 2011 to 2012 academic year is $5,273.

References

• Student Aid on the Web: Student Aid Eligibility; April 2011
• Florida Atlantic University: Dependent Vs. Independent Student Status
• Student Aid on the Web: Federal Pell Grant; June 2011
• U.S. Department of Education: Federal Pell Grant Program
• PellGrantEligibility.net; Determining Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant Program; Michael Bennet
• PellGrantEligibility.net; Federal Pell Grant Eligibility Changes for 2011-2012; Michael Bennet

Resources

• Internal Revenue Service: Six Important Facts about Dependents and Exemptions; January 2011
• PellGrantEligibility.net; Definitive Explanation of the 2011-2012 Pell Grant Cuts; Michael Bennet
• Internal Revenue Service: Publication 501 -- Exemptions, Standard Deduction and Filing Information