Students finalizing FAFSA applications might want to consider alternatives to federal funding since the amount of Pell Grant funding for next year could be reduced.

A bill passed last month by the U.S. House of Representatives would cut $5.7 billion from the Pell Grant Program, reducing the maximum reward by $845 to $4,705.

Across the country, nearly 9 million students take advantage of this program to help fund higher education. Earlier this year, Congress put into effect legislation that provides annual increases to the maximum Pell Grant award, but without appropriations of an additional $5.7 billion, the maximum aid award next year will be slashed.

Nearly 6,000 students at Ball State received Pell Grants last year, according to an article in The Star Press.

FAFSA forms are due by March 10. More information can be found at http://cms.bsu.edu/AdmissionsLanding/ScholarshipsandFinancialAid/HowtoApply/FAFSA.aspx.