<p>Here is what I gather: apparently I am behind one year on my FAFSA because my first year of college I didn't apply for aid. </p>
<p>I filled out the FAFSA last month and noticed that it prompted me to fill out both 2008-2009 and 2009-2010.</p>
<p>I just received my award letter today for the 2008-2009 Pell Grant. Is this money the money I should use for this semester up until the start of fall and then use my 2009-2010 at the start of fall?</p>
<p>Thanks. I'm just confused as to whether I will be getting two pell grants (one for 2008-2009 which I applied for and the one for 2009-2010 the one I also applied for and will be credited toward fall tuition).</p>
<p>If any of you can help I'd appreciate it tremendously!</p>
<p>The Pell grant for 08-09 will be distributed through your school for this year. The 09-10 FAFSA will determine your aid for next fall/spring.</p>
<p>Thanks, I thought that the 2008-2009 was supposed to be given out last spring and that this one (2009-2010) would be distributed in the fall for both fall and spring terms.</p>
<p>Okay so for clarification purposes...</p>
<p>The 2008-2009 grant I will use to pay for school up until June 30th of this year. (And whatever is left over for summer, etc.)</p>
<p>And the 2009-2010 grant will be used to pay for school fall 2009 and beyond, right?</p>
<p>Yup. 2008-9 covers this year no matter when you file it, up to June 30. Most do it in the spring before, but for various reasons, some people file later.</p>
<p>Some schools will include summer as part of the previous years financial aid. Others apparently include it in the next years. So the 2008-2009 may cover aid through the summer (if any summer aid is available) or may not, depending on the school's policy.</p>
<p>You are entitled to your full Pell grant for the year, even though you just filed. If you carried at least 12 credit hours in the fall, you will get half the annual award now - but it will actually be for last fall. If you carry at least 12 credit hours now, you will get half the annual award now for the current term. If you carried less than 12 credits in a semester, your semester award will be a portion of the award: 9-11=3/4 of half the annual award, 6-8=1/2 of half of the annual award, and 3-5=1/4 of half the annual award. In this case, you may have remaining eligibility to use in the spring/summer (since you did not use the entire award in the first two semesters), assuming your school includes spring/summer in the current award year.</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarification, SCM and Kelsmom. I had meant that the 08-09 could be filed through June 30, not that it did or didn't cover the summer, but didn't say that clearly.</p>
<p>Nick--At this point, a trip to your FA office would be a good idea, to find out your school's policies and how your aid will be applied.</p>