Dear Colleague Letter on Pell Grant Eligibility for Students in Juvenile Justice Facilities, United States Department of Education

This Dear Colleague Letter clarifies that for purposes of Federal Pell Grant eligibility, students in juvenile justice facilities are not considered to be admitted to federal or state penal institutions under the Higher Education Act of 1965. This allows students who are confined or incarcerated in juvenile justice facilities to apply for Federal Pell grants to fund post-secondary educational opportunities so long as they meet the other eligibility requirements. This modification is also applicable to youth serving blended sentences which begin in a juvenile justice facility and are completed in an adult facility.