Pell Grant: Helping Single Moms Pay For College

Making sacrifices for the sake of your children is one of the hallmarks of being a single mother. Furthering your education due to time and financial circumstances is one of the first sacrifices that single mothers find themselves having to make.

But stopping short of your educational goals can limit your opportunities and stifle your earning potential. Finances can present a significant roadblock for single mothers. Still, some resources can help you get back on track toward furthering your education, so it’s vital for you to utilize them.

The pell grant has served as a vital resource to help give many people the extra financial boost they need to start or continue their education.

Here are a few points that explain more about how the Pell grant can help you pay for college.

Why Is The Pell Grant Necessary?
Who Qualifies for the Pell Grant?
What Is the EFC?
How Can Pell Grant Funds Be Used?
Do You Have To Pay The Pell Grant Back?
When Can You Use The Pell Grant?
How Much Can You Qualify For?
How To Apply For The Pell Grant

Why Is The Pell Grant Necessary?

The student loan debt crisis is a well-documented issue across the United States. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, many people feel priced out and bring their education to a halt as a result. According to studies, the collected debt owed by borrowers in the United States is upward of 1.75 trillion dollars. This astronomical figure can be attributed to high salaries for administrators, decreased funding at the state level, and increases in those wanting to further their education.

For single mothers, this presents a unique problem. Making ends meet is already enough of a challenge, and paying for college can make the situation more complex. The Pell grant provides financial assistance for those who are trying to work toward their undergraduate degree and serves as a crucial tool to help ease the financial burden that can come with college.

Who Qualifies for the Pell Grant?

It’s worth noting that being a single mother does not automatically guarantee being qualified to receive a pell grant. You have to meet several criteria to be eligible for the Pell grant. First, you must have documented proof of your citizenship in the United States. Also, you must clearly show that you have an exceptional financial need that the pell grant can help with. Other stipulations for Pell Grant qualifications include

Not owing repayment for state or federal loans
Not being in default for state or federal loans
Be enrolled at least half time
Maintain satisfactory academic progress

Other eligibility requirements may be necessary for students who are non-citizens, have intellectual disabilities, or have criminal convictions.

What Is the EFC?

As you get ready to meet the qualifications for your Pell grant application, you may have noticed another stipulation that you have to meet as part of the qualifications. The EFC, or Expected Family Contribution, is a figure that comes through based on the information from your FAFSA t (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) that helps colleges determine how much financial aid you may qualify for.

The EFC isn’t the final number you’re expected to pay for school but rather a guideline the federal government uses for how much money they feel you can realistically put toward your education.

This number isn’t exact, as you can expect to pay a bit more or less than the EFC number indicates.

One thing to keep in mind is that some single mothers can automatically qualify to have a $0 EFC, that is, not being expected to make a financial contribution to their education costs. But this situation depends on your income level, which must be under $25,000.

How Can Pell Grant Funds Be Used?

As you prepare to apply for the Pell grant, it’s essential for you to be aware of everything it can help with. While It’s a common belief that the Pell grant only goes toward the cost of tuition, the funds are more versatile than many people realize. For instance, you can use pell grant funds to help cover the cost of books or even purchase a laptop in some cases.

Having extra funds available to handle these kinds of expenses can make a massive difference for single moms trying to afford all aspects of their education.

Do You Have To Pay The Pell Grant Back?

It’s easy to get locked into the mindset of having to pay back the money you’ve borrowed when you’re going to school. But in most cases, you need not be concerned when it comes to the Pell grant. The Pell grant can be a lifeline to those in dire financial need as it doesn’t work the same way a loan does. The vast majority of Pell grant recipients don’t need to repay the grant, but there are rare cases of exceptions to this rule.

If you drop out during a semester of a Pell grant disbursement or reduce your enrollment from full-time to part-time, you may have to repay a portion of the funds.

Also, if you completely drop out after funds have been disbursed, you may have to pay back some or all of the funds. At this point, you would have 45 days to pay the balance or enter into a payment plan.

When Can You Use The Pell Grant?

Although many people believe you can only get the Pell grant once, this is not the case. You can apply for a Pell grant in any semester you are eligible to do so as long as you can demonstrate significant financial need.

You can also use your Pell grant funds to help cover costs during summer courses, should you need them.

How Much Can You Qualify For?

The amount of Pell grant money you may qualify for may vary each year. The maximum amount you may qualify for in the 2022-23 FAFSA year is 6,895, but this depends on your EFC, cost of attendance, and enrollment status (Full-time or Part-time).

How To Apply For The Pell Grant

To apply for the Pell Grant, you first have to have a FAFSA application on file with your school. At this point, the data you enter can help determine your eligibility for the Pell Grant.

Having an education opens a wealth of opportunities for single moms. The Pell grant helps to bring those opportunities more within reach. As college costs rise, it’s important for single moms to utilize every resource available to invest in their future.