Federal Student Aid

• The federal government provides several types of financial aid through the Department of Education, mostly in the form of Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. However, Congress infrequently approves funding that directly benefits foreigners regardless of their legal status.
  
  

Eligible Visa Classes

• Any United States citizen, national or permanent resident is eligible for a Pell Grant. If your family has permanent residence, you can apply for a Pell Grant. A very small group of visa holders are also eligible; if your parents hold any of these visas, check to see if the terms extend to their dependents: refugees or those granted asylum (pending does not count), any person with a "T" visa, Cuban or Haitian entrants and parolees who have been in the U.S. for a year and intend to obtain permanent residence or citizenship.
  
  

Non-Eligible Statuses

• If your parents are in the United States on any kind of work or study visa (generally J, F or M visa classes), you are not eligible to apply for a Pell Grant. Likewise, the foreign children of any foreign adult in any special exchange program cannot apply for a Pell Grant unless the program is part of the resources available to one of the immigration status groups detailed in the section entitled "Eligible Visa Classes."
  
  

Other Eligibility Requirements

• Aside from residency requirements, Pell Grant applicants must meet other eligibility criteria. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, must not have a bachelor's degree and be working towards a certificate, an associate's degree or their first bachelor's degree and have financial need.