<p>I am a finalist for Gates and I'm a bit worried. My father is the only one who works and he makes 64k for a family of 6. I'm eligible for pell grant but only for 1,768. My EFC is around 3,500. I'm worried that my financial need is too low. </p>
<p>Although Gates applicants must be pell grant eligible, will my low pell grant put me at a disadvantage? Or is it fine?</p>
<p>They only care that you’re are pell grant eligible. The amount doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>I’m a 2014 GMS Scholar and do you know if you have to be pell grant eligible “each year” to continue utilizing your GMS scholarship? Mom is worried if she should turn down upcoming raise?</p>
<p>I had the same question and in the Freshmen sendoff they finally answered my question. No, you don’t have to be Pell grant eligible to CONTINUE to receive Gates funding. If you want to double check you can check out the freshmen sendoff on YouTube. </p>
<p>No you do not, but just keep in mind GMS only covers up to your EFC. Our EFC went up this year, so did our out of pocket expense.</p>