Imagine getting money for college that you don’t have to repay. Financial aid is out there and available. Pell Grants are federal funds that, unlike a loan, you don’t have to repay. Whether you are going to school on-line or on campus, you can get financial help and there is more money this year than ever!

The first step is filling out a “free application for federal student aid” or FAFSA. This one application makes students eligible for all federal, state and some private institution programs. You can download the application from the U-S Department of Education website. If you don’t have a computer, check your local library. Federal grant money is good at more than five thousand colleges and universities.

The U-S Department of Education distributes grants based on financial need. Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree or a professional degree. The money is awarded based on family income and expenses. Only 10% of student who get college grants and scholarships came from families earning more than $41,000 a year.

Pell Grants are the base for federal financial aid. Students can pile other scholarships and awards onto the initial amount. There are hundreds of other grants and scholarships. Some are offered for specific degrees, like nursing or careers in public service. Some states also offer their own grant programs. There is one catch, you can only use your grant money at one school at a time.

On-line students can qualify for grant for online college, but they usually must enroll in high demand careers like science or education. But there are other grants available if your getting a degree on-line. If a student’s financial needs is desperate, they can apply for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. The Academic Competitiveness Grant benefits students who graduated from an academically rigorous high school program.

The amount of money a student gets is the same every school year. It’s determined not only by financial need, but also tuition costs and enrollment. There are even special benefits for students whose parent or guardian died in military service after the 9-11 attacks.

Last year, the maximum amount given was just over five thousand dollars. The federal government has increased awards for the 2010 to 2011 school year. Qualifying students receive checks at least once each semester or trimester. The school can pay you directly, apply the funds directly to your tuition or a combination of both.

If you want to go to college or earn your degree online, The Department of Education can help. Check out their website for more information on available pell grants. Simply filling out an application may make your education financially feasible with the help of financial aid.