Pell Grants for Single Mothers

It is difficult for women to support their family and spend on their education, unless there is some financial assistance from the government. Pell grants help women by contributing towards their college tuition. Pell grants are not only for single mothers but they cater to eligible students from low income families. Like most grants, programs of the federal Pell grants give preference to the marginalized population when it comes to education scholarships.

In these times of economic recession, it is crucial that women have education that will give them gainful employment to support themselves and their families. It is especially important for single mothers, as they do not have anyone else to share the financial obligation of raising their children. There are college grants for single moms that help mothers across America get access to education.

Unlike loans, you do not need to repay the financial assistance you get in the form of a grant. This makes it the only option for students who have weak financial backgrounds. Government grants are given to those who are in most need of financial assistance. The Pell grants are one of the best avenues for economic aid if you are looking forward to get a higher education.

The Obama government recently promised nearly 40 billion dollars towards federal grants which help not only single mothers but all eligible students with feeble financial background. Since these grants help the marginalized population, they are referred to as Pell grants for single parents.

The Pell grant amount awarded to each student is calculated by taking into consideration the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is based on the students family income, the cost of attendance and net assets. Different calculations are used for independent students with dependents for example single mothers, independent students without dependents and dependent students.

Whether you are enrolled part-time or full-time also plays a part in the grant amount you receive. The duration of the course is also one of the mitigating factors in the size of your grant award. The government also enacted the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010 to increase the grant amount for the Federal Pell grants for eligible students.

Eligibility

These are need based grants and are only given to students who fulfill the necessary Pell grants eligibility criteria.

• Students need to fill the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
• These grants are applicable only to the 5,400 participating institutes and colleges.
• Grants are only given to students who belong to the low income group.
• Pell grant application will only be considered if the student is enrolled full-time or at least part-time.
• This government grant is only given for undergraduate study programs.
• Students who are enrolled for post-baccalaureate teachers certification program are also eligible to apply.

You will be notified about the status of your grant through the Student Aid Report (SAR). In some cases the institute or college you are enrolled with, will be notified about the status via the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR). The participating institutes will directly credit the Pell grant amount to the recipients school account. In some instances they give a check to the recipient directly or can use the combination of both the aforementioned methods. For assistance regarding Federal Pell grants requirements, contact the financial aid office in your college.

Federal Pell grants have helped many American women get a good education which in turn will enable them to acquire gainful employment. Government grants for single mothers have played a vital role in helping them become independent and empowered them to better provide for their children.