Question about Pell Grants

MrChicagoRN, RN · Jun 13, 2007

There are pell grants (free money), subsidized loans (no interest while in school), and loans where the interest accumulates from day one.

I doubt you'll get much of a pell grant, but the FAFSA is free. Fill it out, see what happens

kasia2 · Jun 13, 2007

From what I'v heard you have to make less than 50,000 to get a federal pell grant...some of my friends were denied because they made 50,000 or more...well...what about the loan as your option? Student loan is much better than private loan..no interest while you are in school.

RN2bemommyof3 · Jun 13, 2007

hi aprilw3!

my family of 5 earned significantly less that 60k and i didn't qualify for the entire amount of the pell grant but like another poster said fill out the fasfa and find out.

if you don't qualify for a grant then i would check into the stafford loans.

good luck!

*Blessed2BaNRS* · Jun 13, 2007

hi april,

like rn2be, my family of 6 earned significantly less than 60k, and i barely received any pell. with only 1 (low!) income, 4 kids and a disabled mother living with us, you would have thought that i would have received more pell, but, not! hmm, guess you have to be broke to go thru school!!!

Iwannabeababynurse · Jun 13, 2007

I seriously doubt you get a whole lot on a pell if anything at all. I have a friend who was trying to go back to school and had applied for financial aid and didn't get anything. But it was because of what her husband made and he only works at a factory job. If that tells you anything.But who knows you may get something. Good Luck!!!!!

ahartvigson · Jun 13, 2007

I, too, thought I would be eligble for at least some of the pell (we are pretty low ranking mil with two kids) and I got NONE this upcoming year!

BUT fill out the FAFSA and see what it says. When you do, you have the option of getting information on school loan... it may tell you after you finish the application that you don't qualify for pell, but you do for the loans.

IShallWearPurple · Jun 13, 2007

Once you fill out the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) immediately that will state your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). This will tell you where you stand in regards to receiving a Pell Grant. I found this current table online that actually breaks it down with dollar amounts. Way cool! They should advertise this stuff better. Anyway, as the table shows, it depends on two factors. 1.) the cost of your school and 2.) your EFC. If your EFC exceeds 4100 dollars or something like that, you won't be eligible. Fill out that FAFSA soon, though. You won't know your standing until you do.

Do not despair. Many sources of aid are available, but educating yourself on the various terms, conditions, and applications is ESSENTIAL. Go see your school's aid office and make sure the person you are talking to is qualified to give you accurate info. Summer down-time is usually a good opportunity to get an appointment with a higher up in the aid dept.

Remember, many if not all financial aid offices have appeals processes that will offer you alternatives. For instance, the infamous inflated EFC based on LAST year's income (based on the income of a full-time WORKER rather than full-time STUDENT, for example) can be appealed to reflect your actual IN-SCHOOL income. My husband and I had a similar problem my first year in school. Our FAFSA for that first year reflected tens of thousands MORE dollars than I was ACTUALLY going to be making as a student... I appealed this ridiculous EFC and got it reduced.

Pester (nicely) your finaid officer, and you may see more doors open (with money behind them!)

Good luck, keep asking questions, and don't despair!

pjgarrett1388 · Jun 14, 2007

When my fiance applied his family made significantly less than 60k, and they had at least 7 people in the family. He didn't receive the Pell Grant.

I would apply, but I wouldn't expect to receive the Pell Grant. However, there are other options for financial aid. You will just have to search for aide, but it is out there.

Cherish · Jun 14, 2007

Highly doubt you will get the Pell but you may be able to get state aid grants or scholarship. Look up your states education website you could be a possible candidate.