California Pell Grants

Students planning for the future may find the thought of funding their educational endeavors somewhat daunting. Fortunately, there are financial aid programs that can help.

What is a California Pell Grant?

A California Pell Grant is a form of financial assistance that is funded by the United States Department of Education. With California Pell Grants, students must go through the Federal Student Aid Program to receive a Pell Grant as the grant is a national source of financial aid.

Benefits of a California Pell Grant:

When it comes to paying student loans back after graduation, most students freeze in fear at the thought. One of the best things about California Pell Grants is that they don’t have to be paid back after graduation. A Pell Grant is essentially free money that students can use for their educational goals. If a student thinks they are eligible for a Pell Grant, they should not hesitate to apply. A Pell Grant can be an effective way to not be overwhelmed with debt.

Who is Eligible to Apply for a California Pell Grant?

When students are trying to figure out whether or not they might able to receive assistance in the form of California Pell Grants, there are several factors that will determine their eligibility.

• Only students who have an EFC (estimated family contribution) lower than $3,850 are eligible for a Pell Grant.
• Students who have been incarcerated are not eligible.
• Students applying for a Pell Grant must be undergraduates; there are no Pell Grants available to graduate students.
• If a student is in default on a student loan they cannot receive a Pell Grant.
• The school a student is attending must participate in title IV programs.

How to Apply for California Pell Grants:

In contrast to so many other scholarships and grants, a student doesn’t have to fill out a separate application for a Pell Grant. Pell Grant eligibility is determined when a student fills out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; the information obtained from the FAFSA will automatically determine whether or not a student is eligible for a California Pell Grant. Applying for a Pell Grant isn’t complicated or time consuming; all students do is fill out the FAFSA and wait for the results. If eligible, the FAFSA results will indicate the amount of financial assistance a student can receive.