The grants cover tuition first, then can be applied to other education expenses, such as books and supplies. Pell Grants are considered to be part of a federal entitlement program, so if a student meets the eligibility criteria, some money will be provided, George said. Students from higher income levels also can seek grants, but those students will be competing for a limited pool of funds. However, student loan funds are available to all students, she said. She noted that there's a way to trim the time from the processing period for loan and grant applications.
Applicants can list up to six colleges they're considering attending.
As long as they list the school code for any college, they can expect their information to be passed along electronically to the desired institutions. Students may want to check with the departments that focus on their expected majors, she added. Students with outstanding academic records may want to see whether their college choice sets aside money for excellent scholars, George said. George also suggested parents and students give first consideration to seeking grants.