<p>Hi, I'm currently a transfer student at a state university and am considered a sophomore.</p>
<p>During my first semester (2009) at the college, I was considered qualified for the Federal Pell Grant 2008-2009.
Soon though, I have to reapply for the Federal Pell Grant for 2010.
My parent's(single/divorced) income has increased though and I'm worried I may not qualify anymore.</p>
<p>Here's my info:
-21 years of age.
-Full time student, usually 14+ credits.
-Majoring in Computer Science, considering double majoring in Business.
-Technically $0 income--I receive $818 a month from my mother to help with rent and food
since I don't have enough time between classes and obligations to get a stable job.
After expenses, there is no relevant income.</p>
<p>Mother
-$26,400 Annual Income.
-I can't remember if she claimed me as dependant or independent on last years taxes...</p>
<p>Based on the information above, do you think I'll be qualified for the FAFSA Federal Pell Grant 2010? If so, do you think it would be partial or full?
(Previously, all income above was half what is stated and I qualified for the full grant.)</p>
<p>I don’t know the answer to your questions, but I’m amazed that a mom with an income of $26,400 can give her child $818 a month!! Wow. Doesn’t your mom have rent to pay?</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the 09/10 EFC formula guide. If you qualify for the auto 0 EFC (see pg 6) you’ll receive a full Pell. If not, you should still be Pell eligible. There are schedules you can look at to calculate your EFC.</p>
<p>If you’re a science major, you might also investigate the SMART grant though I read recently that it might be eliminated next year.</p>
<p>With a parent income below $30,000 and assuming your Mom meets the other criteria (eligible to file a 1040a or 1040ez tax return) you should still be eligible for the auto 0 EFC which would give you the full Pell grant. Whether your Mom claims you as a dependent on her tax return is irrelevant for FAFSA purposes.</p>
<p>I think a computer science major is one of the SMART grant majors. At my daughters school you must have completed 60 hours (which is what her school requires for Junior status) and have a GPA of 3.00 (a SMART grant requirement) to be eligible for the SMART. If you have being averaging 14 credit hours then you may fall short of the credit hour requirement. The credit hour requirement may vary by school so check with your school. Ask about the hours and whether you would be eligible based on your major. It may be worth taking a few extra hours next semester or in the summer if it gets you to be SMART eligible as that is $4000 a year. </p>
<p>Unless there has been some change that I have not heard of the SMART is still in place for 2010-2011 but is currently scheduled (along with the ACG) to expire for the 2011-2012 school year.</p>
<p>If you have a 0 EFC you may also be eligible for the SEOG if your school uses 0 EFC as the criteria. Make sure you file your FAFSA as early as possible in 2010 to make you eligible for the most aid. Three federal aid programs - SEOG, Perkins loans, Federal work study - are campus based programs with limited funds so it is important to file early to maximise you chance of getting them.</p>
<p>SCM, I’m sure you’re correct, I just couldn’t recall exactly what or where I’d read about the SMART grant going away and didn’t want someone to rely on my very limited knowledge of it!</p>
<p>You probably read it here on CC! I read it here and freaked and checked more about it and was relieved, for purely selfish reasons (my daughter will be a senior 2010-2011 and receives the SMART), that it is not scheduled to go away till 2011-2012. That could change of course.</p>