What is a Federal Pell Grant?
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. (A professional degree is usually earned after earning a bachelor's degree in a field such as medicine, law, or dentistry.) For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.
How do I qualify?
To determine if you're eligible financially, the U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the information you report when you apply (see "Financial Need") The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) contains this number, in the upper right portion on page 1, and the Financial Aid Office will use this information as part of its determination of your Pell Grant Eligibility.
How much money can I get?
The maximum award for the is $4,050 per award year (two consecutive trimesters of full-time attendance. You can receive only one Pell Grant in an award year. How much you get will depend not only on your EFC but also on your cost of attendance, whether you're a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less. You may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
Can I receive a Federal Pell Grant if I am enrolled less than half time?
Yes, if you're otherwise eligible. You won't receive as much as if you were enrolled full-time, but your school must disburse your Pell Grant funds in accordance with your enrollment status and cannot refuse you an award simply because you're enrolled less than half time.
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