If you received the Pell Grant Information Letter...
We have been receiving a lot of questions about the Idaho Department of Labor letter sent to unemployed workers regarding special consideration you may receive for financial aid in you enroll in school. Hopefully this email will answer your questions.
What to do:
Complete the federal financial aid application called the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Use your actual 2008 tax information for this online application.
If your financial situation has changed due to a loss of a job, and your 2008 income is higher than your current income, you can work with the Financial Aid Office to reexam your situation.
The appropriate form to complete is the Special Conditions - Estimated Income Review form. This form will return to the web site September 4.
Pay close attention to the instructions on the form regarding letters and necessary documentation that will need to be attached to the form.
Attach a copy of the letter you received with the heading "Pell Grant Information for Unemployed Workers."
You will be estimating your family's income from June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010.
This is not a new grant created for unemployed workers. The special consideration refers to the guidance universities have received from the U.S. Department of Education asking us to reevaluate families' financial resources due to the difficult economic circumstances. We understand that many employees have been laid off or have had to accept jobs with a lower salary or wage.
Here is a list of the basic eligibility requirements for federal financial aid. Students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are ineligible for Pell Grants.