Pell Grants in Alabama
Pell Grants in Alabama – A Pell grant is originally an educational grant for US students from low-income families who don’t have money to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
A Pell grant is nothing but financial assistance provided to economically weaker students by the US government to fulfil their dream of studying at a particular college or university.
Getting a Pell Grant in Alabama or anywhere is not a cakewalk, even if you belong to a low-income family with no money to support your education.
A good thing about a Pell Grant is that it is not merit-based, so it doesn’t matter whether you scored high or low in your previous education.
Pell grants came into existence in 1972, and since then, these are helping students from low-income families in their education by providing them with financial assistance.
Pell Grants in Alabama
Why Do Students Get After Pell Grants?
Pell grants remain students’ favourite, especially those who successfully obtained them for their education. Unlike educational loans, you don’t have to repay a Pell grant (if received) once you complete your studies.
The problem with education loans is that they make you worried, and you always think about how you will repay your loan. It affects your education too. However, this is not the case with a Pell grant, as it is granted only to students who need it.
Students get after Pell grants because they don’t have to repay them. Moreover, there are grants available exclusively for Pell grant recipients, which means this grant also makes you eligible for other educational grants.
What is the eligibility to get a Pell grant in Alabama?
To get a Pell Grant in Alabama, you must come from a low-income family that doesn’t have enough funds to educate their children. Also, you can get a Pell grant if your family is affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first step in getting close to obtaining a Pell Grant is to fill out the application by visiting studentaid.gov.
Filling out the FAFSA is necessary regardless of which grant you apply for. You are granted any funding only after the granting authority finds you eligible (based on the information provided in FAFSA) for a particular grant.
Many students apply for a Pell grant each year, and a few successfully obtain it. It is good to get a Pell grant for yourself, but what if you fail to receive it. Don’t worry, as there are other grants that you can apply for.
Pell Grant Alabama – List of Available Grants
Now let’s talk about various educational grants available for students in Alabama.
1. Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant is the principal educational grant available for students to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
Congress uses a standard formula to determine your eligibility based on the information you provided in the FAFSA. It will result in an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number.
The amount you get under Federal Pell Grant depends on your EFC and enrolment status. Pell grant is prorated, which means you will get the funding based on your enrolment status; as a full-time or part-time student.
If you want to receive the full amount of the Pell grant, you must enroll yourself as a full-time student. Remember that you cannot get a Pell grant for more than six years, so choose your course accordingly.
Get more information about the Federal Pell Grant, visit studentaid.gov.
2. Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP)
Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) is an additional grant for Pell grant recipients. So, no other student from outside can get this grant. The name indicates it is for Alabama residents.
You have to fulfill three conditions to be eligible for ASAP:
• Pell Grant recipient
• Resident of Alabama
• Attending any Alabama educational institution
Once these three conditions are satisfied, you can expect financial assistance from this program. The amount you will get under ASAP will be between $300 and $5000 per calendar year.
The Alabama Commission on Higher Education looks after the Alabama Student Assistance Program.
More than 80 educational institutions participate in this program, which means that you can choose anyone among those institutions to complete your first bachelor’s degree.
For additional information on ASAP, visit Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
3. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG is also an additional grant for Pell grant recipients. It is a need-based grant available for students who have already enrolled in their first bachelor’s degree program.
However, there is limited availability of funds under this grant. So, only the students who have exhausted their Pell grant funds and still require monetary assistance to finance their education will get it.
The funds’ distribution is first-come, first-serve to students with the highest need. Thus, not all Pell grant recipients get lucky in obtaining this grant.
Get more information on Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, visit FSEOG.
4. Police Officer’s and Firefighter’s Survivors Educational Assistance Program (POFSEAP)
The name of the grant clearly shows that this grant is for dependents of Alabama Police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The grant money awarded could be used to pay fees and buy books and supplies.
The amount you get solely depends on your need as there will be no limit. As long as you need money, you will get the same. Remember that the grant is only for undergraduate study programs at Alabama public institutions.
To apply for POFSEAP, file the application Form and submit it to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education’s Grants and Scholarship Department.
5. Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP)
AMSTEP is a federal student loan program to motivate Alabama students first to take Alabama certification in
Mathematics or Science. After getting mathematics or science certification, accept a teaching position in
Mathematics or Science at Alabama public schools.
AMSTEP was started to improve Alabama’s educational system and provide teachers to public schools facing a shortage of Mathematics and Science teachers.
Get more information on AMSTEP, visit amstep.ache.edu.
Conclusion
Pell Grant in Alabama can be a way to earn a bachelor’s degree at one of the Alabama educational institutions for students coming from low-income families.
You will find complete information on grants and programs in this post.
See Also
Blue Cross Blue Shield in Alabama
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