The Federal Pell Grants are specifically designed for students who have exceptional financial needs and who have not yet obtained their first bachelor’s degree or are enrolled in certain post-baccalaureate programs through participating institutions. To qualify for this grant, non-U.S. citizens must meet the same requirements as U.S. citizens.
Here are the main criteria for non-U.S citizens to qualify for the Federal Pell Grant.
1. Green Card Holders
Non-U.S. citizens applying for this grant must have lawful permanent resident status, also known as a green card. They must provide documentation of their immigration status to avoid any harassment from immigration agencies.
2. Asylum or refugee status
Asylum or refugee status holders, who are non-U.S citizens, can receive Federal Pell Grant by providing proper immigration documentation. It is necessary to do more research on the internet to get more information on how this works.
3. Financial Need
Financial need is one of the major reasons why non-U.S citizens apply for the Federal Pell Grant. To determine if you are eligible for this grant, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) form. To do this, please visit the website (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov) and follow the instructions provided in the ‘Fill out a FAFSA’ section. When completing your FAFSA application, you will need to answer questions to determine your eligibility for the Pell Grant. Once you have submitted your FAFSA application, you will be notified by email or regular mail regarding your eligibility for the Pell Grant funding.
3. Enrollment in a participating institution
Non-U.S. citizens must be enrolled in a participating institution to receive a Pell Grant. They can confirm their eligibility by checking with their institution’s financial aid office.
Related Post: Funding for International Students
4. Satisfactory academic progress
As a non-U.S. citizen, it is important to maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving the Federal Pell Grant. This means that you are required to complete a certain percentage of attempted credits and also maintain a minimum GPA. It’s important to note that eligibility criteria may vary depending on the institution, so it is highly recommended to consult with your institution’s financial aid office to obtain accurate information.
5. Sign a statement
You must sign a statement certifying that you are not in default on a federal loan and that the financial aid will be used solely for educational purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
How does the government and school determine my eligibility for Pell Grant?
The way the government and school determine your Pell Grant eligibility is from your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
What is EFC?
This is the number given to you at the end of your FAFSA registration.
How can I determine if I qualify for a Pell Grant?
To check the status of your student FAFSA application, you can contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 433-3243 from 9 am to 5:30 pm (EST), Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can log in to your online account on the FAFSA website to check the progress of your application.
In conclusion
The Federal Pell Grant is a financial aid program aimed at helping undergraduate students with proven financial need. If you are a non-U.S citizen student who has been granted lawful permanent resident status, asylum or refugee status, you are eligible to apply for this grant. To be eligible, you will need to provide documentation of your immigration status, demonstrate financial need, enroll in a participating institution, and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
