Paperwork is the only thing standing between 22-thousand college students and 24 million federal dollars. The students qualify for Pell Grants to pay for college but aren’t claiming the money.

The University System’s Board of Governors wants to raise awareness of the grant program to increase student enrollment.

FAMU Sophomore Dwayne Pearce of Palm Bay depends on student loans and a federal Pell grant to pay for school. The grant is worth 44-hundred dollars a year.

“It helps out a lot because if I didn’t, I’d have to take out another loan. So I’d be in more debt.”

Out of state Freshman Lori Sander would still be in Ohio if she never applied for a Pell Grant.

“Without it I would probably still be in Cleveland, Ohio. Not here at school. I would definitely be in a state college in my state.”

In Florida 22 thousand college students are leaving Pell Grant money in Uncle Sam’s bank account. A study by the state’s University System found the qualified students never applied… leaving 24 million untapped.

“One reason students could be missing out on the federal grant is this 11-page application full of household income and tax questions.”

The study claims many students don’t know how to answer the questions and some simply aren’t aware the grants exist.

Dan Cohen-Vogel is the Assistant Vice Chancellor of the Board of Governors.

“There many students who just aren’t educated about the process, who come in late in the process and didn’t either take advantage of or get all the materials they needed. There are a lot of students who are reluctant to disclose income.”

For some a Pell grant could make the difference between attending college or the school of hard knocks.

The State’s University System’s Board of Governors is working with high schools and colleges to raise awareness about the grants. The money is awarded based on family incomes and students can qualify for a full partial grant.