How To Draft Your Pell Grant Application
How to draft your Pell Grant Application
If you are going to apply for Pell Grant, it is very important to know where the application is available and how to draft it before submitting the application. The main important thing is there is no specific application for Pell Grant. The students will be considered for federal aid program usually after submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is complicated for many students since it requires information about the family and financial situation.
What you should know before getting started
To be a part of any federal aid or Pell Grant, you should submit your FAFSA. Many colleges use the information provided in the FAFSA to award financial aids. By applying for Pell Grant, you are submitting the application that can provide you with other financial aids also. It is totally free to submit the FAFSA; you can easily access the help of Pell Grant. You can pay for your college.
The important thing you should know is that FAFSA needs to be submitted annually. If you receive Pell Grant for one year, then next year you have to submit the FAFSA. If you want the Pell Grant application, then submit the FAFSA annually.
The deadline which you need to worry about the Pell Grant is federal aid application. The deadline for submitting your federal aid application for the corresponding year is around June. Check this and submit the application. For every state, there are different deadlines. Make sure that you look into the deadline of the particular state which you are residing in.
When should you start the application process?
The earlier you apply it is better. Usually, most of the students submit it after finishing the school. The year in which you’ll be are joining college, at that time submit the FAFSA. It will be easy to award Pell Grant. It is always better to apply earlier to maximize your funds. If you are a first-time college student, then apply once you get the acceptance letter.
2. Gather All The Information Needed
This is the list needed when you start off with the FAFSA Application.
- Social Security Number
- Registration number if you are not a US citizen
- Recent federal income tax returns
- Bank statements and investment records if you have them
- Untaxed income records if you have any
- FSA ID is needed if you plan to submit it online
Then your parent’s financial information is also needed to look how much financial aid you are eligible for. Then some specific information about the parents is also needed. Whether your parents are married or separated or widowed. Your parent is currently remarried or in joint custody. They need information from them.
There are some circumstances where your parent’s financial information is not taken into consideration. Common dependency situations include getting married, having kids and homelessness. If you think that you qualify for dependency overrides, then make sure you have some paperwork. Answer the questions honestly while filling the FAFSA application.
3. Choose your submission method
There are two ways in which you can submit the FAFSA and apply for Pell Grant. The electronic version of the FAFSA application is easier and faster. The online application will guide you thoroughly so need not worry. After the submission, you will receive your results. It will tell you about which type of financial aid you are eligible within three days. This document is called a Student Aid Report. But to apply online you need FSA ID for you and your parents. There is the paper submission but it is difficult and takes more weeks to process your application.
4. Set time to complete the application
Take time apart to complete the above steps. Collect all the necessary information and complete the application. Spend at least 2-3 hours while filling out the application online or offline.
After drafting all these submit the FAFSA application, you will be automatically considered for Pell Grant. There is no further work needed. Then you will get the email within 3-5 days to access the SAR number. Finally, you can get the Pell Grant application and get the necessary financial aid.