Can You Get a Pell Grant Using Unemployment?
In May 2009, President Obama announced an initiative that would give special consideration for the Pell grant to unemployment benefit recipients. Although collecting unemployment does not guarantee you will be approved for the Pell grant, you are given an edge over other candidates in order to receive federal financial aid for additional education and training.
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Benefits
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The Pell grant pays for up to $5,550 per year towards tuition and fees to a college, university, technical school or trade school. The exact award amount given is based on tuition costs and annual income. School financial aid offices have been told to take an applicant’s unemployment status into consideration when determining Pell grant award amounts. Unlike a student loan, money received from the Pell grant does not have to be repaid.
Requirements
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Although unemployed individuals are given extra consideration, you still need to meet certain other requirements to qualify for a Pell grant. If you already have a Bachelor’s degree or higher, you are ineligible for the grant money. You must also obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. Students who are in default of a federal student loan cannot receive the Pell grant. Prior drug convictions while receiving federal student aid also makes you unable to receive the funding.
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Significance
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In previous legislature, if you wanted to go back to school and receive federal financial aid, you needed to forfeit your unemployment benefits. Since May 2009, you can still collect your unemployment benefits while attending school and receiving federal financial aid such as the Pell grant.
Considerations
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Unemployment benefit recipients may receive a letter from their unemployment office urging them to return to school and apply for the Pell grant. This letter does not guarantee the receipt of the Pell grant. You should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA and present the letter to your college or school’s financial aid office.
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References
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