Pell Grants for Moms

One of the most prominent government grants for education is the Pell grant which has helped millions of students over the years. They are different from a student's loan as you need not repay the financial assistance you get under this government grants program. This is a need based grant and helps students from low-income families get higher education. It is popularly referred to as Pell grants for moms as many women have been able to realize their dreams of higher education with the financial assistance received through this program.

The rising cost of education and the prevailing economic conditions have made higher education out of reach for many Americans. This holds even truer for mothers who have the added responsibility of supporting their families. Women seeking education that will provide gainful employment can now apply for Pell grants to provide financial assistance.

One of the most distinguishing factors of this grant is that you receive financial assistance to continue your education from one of the over 5,000 affiliated institutes. These are need based grants and you will have to show financial need to qualify for this government grants program. The Obama administration realizing the importance of education has recently increased funding of Pell grants by over 40 billion dollars.

To apply for this grant students will have to fill a Free Application for Federal students Aid (FAFSA) form which is available online on the federal education website. Students will have to give information pertaining to the course they want to pursue, financial history and academic records on the FAFSA form. Some colleges provide assistance with applications, hence, it is advisable to visit the financial aid office of your college.

The maximum Pell grant award for the award year 2011-12 is USD 5,500 and is calculated according to the cost of education and expected family contribution (EFC) of the student. When calculating the EFC things that will be taken into consideration are the student's income and assets if any, family's income for dependent students, household size, and the number of members attending post secondary education.

Eligibility

As these are need based grants students will have to showcase financial need to qualify for the grant. One of the basic requirements is to fill the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA) form to be eligible for the amount. Students have to be US citizens or legal aliens to qualify for the federal Pell grant.

This grant program is only for students looking to enroll in one of the 5,400 participating institutes. The award receivable through the federal Pell grants program is only applicable for undergraduate study. However an exception is made for students looking to enroll in a post-baccalaureate teacher's education program.

Some other eligibility criteria include that the individual must have a high school diploma from a state approved institute. You will also be required to sign a statement that says you will only use the funds received under this grant for educational purposes. Students should also possess a valid social security number at the time of application.

The Pell grants for moms program has helped many American women get higher education that allows gainful employment enabling them to better support themselves and their families. For application forms and deadline details you can check the federal student aid website.