Financial Need

• Pell Grants are need-based and are awarded to low-income students based on three factors--income and assets, size of a person's family and number of family members enrolled in college, and the cost of the school the student is attending. A student can receive Pell Grants for up to 18 semesters.
  
  

College and Degree Program

• Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students working toward a degree at one of the 5,400 qualified colleges and universities in the United States. Awards are not given to students who are taking classes but not working toward a degree. Students who receive Pell Grants are also required to maintain good academic standing, usually a "C" average or better, to remain eligible for future grants.
  
  

Citizenship and Eligibility

• Grants are awarded to U.S. citizens and some non-citizens who are legally attending college in the United States. Non-citizens who can qualify for Pell Grants include permanent residents with an Alien Registration Card, conditional permanent residents and those with an Arrival Departure Record from the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Male students, who are 18 or older, must register with the selective service to be eligible for awards.
  
  

Grant Uses

• Pell Grant funds can be used to pay for the cost of attending college and other education-related expenses. Grant money can go toward paying for room and board, books and equipment needed for classes, such as a computer. Pell Grant money can even be used to help a student pay for clothes and food.