Glossary: Pell Grants

#ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ATo top

A noncitizen who, while in the United States, is granted permission to remain because of well-founded fear of persecution in their home country.

CTo top

U.S. Resident with a I-551 C Card.

ETo top

Either a:

The amount of money a family is expected to contribute to educational expenses. The Federal Student Aid Commission determines the EFC.

GTo top

Money that does not have to be repaid. Government agencies and foundations give grants to programs and individuals who need financial help.

PTo top

U.S. Permanent Resident with either an Alien Registration Card or I-551 Card.

RTo top

A noncitizen who, while outside the U.S. and their home country, was granted permission to enter and live in the U.S. because they had a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country.

Resources are cash or property that you own, can convert to cash, or can use to support yourself. Savings accounts, checking accounts, stocks, and bonds are a few examples of resources. The home you live in and the car you drive to work are exempt under most Social Security and state disability benefit programs. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the first $100,000 in an ABLE account is not counted as resources. For Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and some other programs, none of the money in an ABLE account is counted.

Also called "assets."

STo top

An institution's minimum academic requirements that a student must meet to be eligible for federal student aid.

UTo top

Funds received from sources for which no paid work activity is performed. Disability benefits such as SSDI, SSI, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance; VA benefits; Workers' Compensation; income from a trust or investment; spousal support; dividends, profits, or funds received from any source other than work are all usually considered unearned income.

Income that is not subject to state or federal taxes. Income from Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are examples of untaxed income.