Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant is an award of funds for educational expenses provided by the federal government to undergraduate students whose application information indicates financial need. The Pell grant does not have to be repaid.


HOW TO APPLY
The student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year he or she plans to attend. A paper FAFSA form, which must be mailed to the federal processors, is available in the Financial Aid Office (FAO). However, the FAO recommends that the application be completed on the Internet at www.fafsa.gov. The FAO will receive an electronic report of the results of the application in 2-3 weeks. The student will be provided with a Student Aid Report in paper or electronic form.


WHAT DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY?
The information submitted on the FAFSA is put into a federal formula, which is used to determine the Estimated Family Contribution or EFC. The EFC is the amount of money the Department of Education determines that a family should be able to contribute to a student's education. The student can lose this eligibility, based upon a lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress, a defaulted student loan, a refund owed the federal government, a prior drug conviction, or other reasons specified by the U.S. Department of Education. Students who have been chosen to complete the verification process (through which information on the FAFSA is verified as accurate by the Financial Aid Office) must complete the verification process before any federal or state financial aid is processed.

Effective for the 2009-2010 school year, students who first receive a Federal Pell Grant on or after 7/1/08 may not receive more than 18 semesters or their equivalent.

HOW ARE RECIPIENTS SELECTED?
All applicants who are determined to be eligible based upon need, and who are not ineligible for some other reason, will receive the Federal Pell Grant.


HOW IS THE AMOUNT OF THE AWARD DETERMINED?
The amount of the award is determined based upon the student's EFC, the cost of attendance at the college, and the number of eligible hours the student is enrolled in each semester. A chart is provided to the college each year, which is used to determine the student's full-time Pell award amount.