Pell Grants for Single Mothers

By Christine Lauren


As many have found it is extremely difficult for single moms to support their families and pay for higher education which is why taking advantage of the Pell Grant for single mothers is such an important consideration. While there is not a specific Pell Grant only for single mothers, many single mothers qualify because they meet the low-income requirements of the grant.

The Pell Grant is a federal grant program that is sponsored by the department of education and does not need to be paid back. For 2011 the maximum that can be paid out per student is $5,550. The award amount is based on financial need criteria determined by congress and submitted by the applicant when filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) form.

After filing out the FAFSA form, the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which both notifies him or her if they are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and provides the student's (EFC)Expected Family Contribution. Pell Grants are awarded directly through institutions to the student with financial need. They are either credited to the students account at the school or paid to the student directly. These methods may also be combined together.

A student must be receive payment at minimum, once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter).The Pell Grant for single mothers also requires recipients to be enrolled at least full or part-time for undergraduate study, and should do so through one of the 5,400 participating institutions.

It is an understatement to say the need for single mother grants and scholarships to pursue higher education is great, and single mothers should be encouraged to seek this level of achievement. It will help their families to be better off financially in the long run and provide a well-rounded home environment for the children.




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