All of our full day primary programs at ACI Medical & Dental School are now eligible for Pell Grants! Read on for more information about this financial aid option and how you can apply. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
What Are Pell Grants?
Pell Grants are a federal program that offers need-based financial aid to help low-income students pay for postsecondary education at any one of over 5,400 participating institutions. Unlike a loan, the money you received from a Pell Grant does not need to be paid back. ACI Medical & Dental School, as one of New Jersey’s top technical schools, is approved to disburse Pell Grants funds to aid our students with their academic careers.
Pell Grant Eligibility
Some of the basic requirements that must be met in order to receive a Pell Grant include the following:
- Eligibility for Federal Student Aid Programs – Federal aid eligibility is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The U.S. Department of Education calculates financial need by taking the information from your FAFSA and using it to find your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is then compared to the expected costs of attending your chosen institution in order to determine how much money you will receive from the Pell Grant Program.
- Undergraduate or Vocational Student – In most cases, the Federal Pell Grant Program will only provide funds to students that are part of an undergraduate or vocational program.
- High School Level Education – You must have earned either a high school diploma, a GED, or completed high school level home schooling.
- Approved Program – You must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program. Students cannot receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
- U.S. Citizen or Eligible Noncitizen – You must either be a U.S. citizen or be an approved noncitizen to receive a Pell Grant.
How Do I Apply for a Pell Grant?
Students do not apply directly for a Pell Grant. You must fill out the FAFSA and then the U.S. Department of Education calculates your EFC based on a standard formula established by Congress. This takes a look at the student’s income (and assets if independent), the parents’ income and assets, the size of the household, and the number of family members attending a postsecondary institution. Once the FAFSA is filed, the student receives a Student Aid Report (SAR) or the institution receives an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR). This notifies the student of whether they meet the requirements for a Federal Pell Grant and provides them with their EFC.
Once a student has received approval for a Pell Grant, the participating institution must disburse the funds at least once per term or at least twice per academic year.
Contact ACI Medical & Dental School today for more information about Federal Pell Grants and other financial aid options.
