If you are interested in getting a Pell Grant so that you can pay for college, you might be wondering whether or not you will qualify for a federal grant. There is no real way to find out without filling out a Free Application for Financial Student Aid, but this doesn't mean that you can't get an idea of what will be used in order to determine your eligibility. These are a few things that the federal government uses to determine Pell Grant eligibility.Independent or Dependent StudentAn independent student is a student who lives alone and does not depend on his or her parents for money for school or living expenses. Just because a student lives alone does not mean that he or she is considered an independent student when it comes to Pell Grant eligibility, however. Students must be over a certain age, be married, have children or qualify in other ways, but some schools are willing to grant a hardship to students who do not meet these qualifications but who have proof that they are in certain situations.IncomeSince Pell Grant eligibility depends on financial need, the student's income will be a deciding factor in Pell Grant eligibility. The government will also look at the income levels of others in the home, such as the student's parents, when determining whether or not the student is eligible to receive a Pell Grant.Number of Students in a HouseholdIf a student has siblings or parents who live in the house and who are in college, this can affect the student's Pell Grant eligibility.These are only a few of the things that are taken into consideration when the government is determining a student's Pell Grant eligibility. In many cases, students are surprised to find that they are eligible for assistance, but some students receive more financial aid than others. For students who are not eligible for a Pell Grant, the federal government offers other options, such as both subsidized an unsubsidized federal student loans; these loans are not based on a student's credit score, which is great news for students who don't qualify for a Pell Grant but who can't afford to pay for college.