Understanding Pell Grants for Justice-Impacted Individuals - Free Money for College
Pell grants are now available for justice-impacted individuals who are currently or were previously incarcerated. This is a great chance for you to continue your education and gain college credit at Virginia's community colleges. You can read more about it here (Eligibility of Confined or Incarcerated Individuals to Receive Pell Grants | Knowledge Center), but we will give a simple overview for you below.
In 2020, a law called the FAFSA Simplification Act was passed. This law made a big change. For the first time since 1994, it made it possible for people who are or were in prison to get Pell Grants. What are Pell Grants? They're a type of financial help from the government that you don't have to pay back, and they can be used to pay for college.
But there's a special rule: to get a Pell Grant, you must be in a special education program called a Prison Education Program, or PEP for short. These programs are designed to help you continue your learning journey while you're in prison.
So, how do you qualify for a Pell Grant and a PEP? Let's look at the list:
- You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible PEP.
- You should be working toward a recognized postsecondary credential. This means you're studying for a certificate or a degree.
- You cannot be in an elementary or secondary school.
- You should be making good progress in your studies.
- You must have a high school diploma, a recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, or have completed a secondary school education in a home school setting.
- If you're a male, you should be registered with the Selective Service, if it applies to you.
Remember, every person's situation is different, so some other rules may apply. If you have questions, you should reach out to your local community college's admissions team.
What's next? Your school must make sure that the PEP you're enrolled in meets certain standards. They have to make sure that the program is right for you, and that it's doing a good job helping you learn. The Department of Education will also make sure that the school is following all the rules. If they aren't, the school may have to create a plan to fix any problems.
There are many more details to learn, and this is just a starting point. Keep asking questions, keep learning, and remember: education is a journey, and every step forward is a victory.