One of the federal financial aid programs that serves women is the Pell Grant program. These are government education programs that help students from low-income families get higher education.
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. These are not only for single mothers but also cater to eligible students from low-income families. Like the most of such programs, these 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 take care of themselves and their family in the long run. 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 that help mothers across America to get access to education.
Unlike loans, you do not need to repay the financial assistance that 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 ones are one of the best avenues for economic aid if you are looking for pursuing higher education.
The Obama government recently promised nearly 40 billion dollars towards such federal programs, which not only help single mothers but all eligible students with feeble financial background. Since these help the marginalized population, they are referred to as Pell Grants for single parents.
The amount awarded to each student is calculated by taking into consideration the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is based on the student’s 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 amount you receive. The duration of the course is also one of the mitigating factors in deciding the size of your award. The government also enacted the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010 to increase the 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 eligibility criteria.
- Students need to fill the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
- These are applicable only to the 5,400 participating institutes and colleges.
- These are only given to students who belong to the low-income group.
- The 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 programs 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 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 its 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 an employment that will serve them in the near future. These have played a vital role in helping single mothers become independent and have empowered them to better provide for their children.
