Topic: Educational Grants

Educational Grants: Educational grants are first based on whether or not a person is incarcerated, and where, or on the type of conviction and how long ago it was. So work your way through the following sections to find the one applicable to you. If none are, then click on the picture AT THE end. Thanks, eAdvocate Pell Grants State and Federal Prisons: In 1995 Pell Grants were ELIMINATED for ALL folks who are incarcerated in State or Federal prisons, no matter what their crime was, see HR 3355 of the 103rd Congress (1995): SEC. 20411. AWARDS OF PELL GRANTS TO PRISONERS PROHIBITED. (a) IN GENERAL- Section 401(b)(8) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a(b)(8)) is amended to read as follows: `(8) No basic grant shall be awarded under this subpart to any individual who is incarcerated in any Federal or State penal institution.'. (b) APPLICATION OF AMENDMENT- The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to periods of enrollment beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act. Pell Grants Jails: See: 5 Little Known Facts About Pell Grants Pell Grants Civil Commitment: In 2008 it was realized that folks in civil commitment were getting Pell Grants, because civil commitment was not a state of being incarcerated, that too was eliminated. see HR 4137 of the 110th Congress (2008) (Public Law 110-315)(20 USC 1070a(b)): (E) in paragraph (7) (as designated by subparagraph (B)), by inserting before the period the following: `or who is subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense (as determined in accordance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program)'; and However, in the current law 20 USC 1070a(b) it specifically says: (6) No Federal Pell Grant shall be awarded under this subpart to any individual who is incarcerated in any Federal or State penal institution or who is subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense (as determined in accordance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program). Now, it appears that Congress may have intended this to eliminate Pell Grants for those who are going to be civilly committed (i.e., detainees), but, that would not include those already civilly committed. So, until someone applies and raises this issue, we will not know if they are actually denied getting a Pell Grant while they are civilly committed. Note: See this financial aid page from a Community College, note their wording re: Civil Commitment: Incarcerated students and sex offenders Students incarcerated in federal and state penal institutions aren’t eligible for Pell grants, but students incarcerated in local penal institutions are eligible. Students incarcerated by jurisdictions defined as a state in the law, such as the District of Columbia, are considered to be in a state penal institution and aren’t eligible for Pell grants. A student isn’t considered incarcerated if she is in a halfway house or home detention or is sentenced to serve only on weekends. The cost of attendance for students who are incarcerated in local penal institutions is limited to tuition and fees and the price of books and supplies specifically related to the student’s course of study. The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) disqualifies from receiving Pell grants students who are subject to an involuntary civil commitment following incarceration for a sexual offense (as determined under the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program). Anyone who knows of someone who HAS BEEN civilly committed maybe they might like to give it a try, see if they can get a Pell Grant. We would like to know the outcome. All Other Educational Grants: See: 5 Little Known Facts About Pell Grants Then Click on this Picture For now, have a great day and a better tomorrow. eAdvocate (BACK to the Top Page)