<p>The wording on several federal websites about financial aid (i.e., Pell Grants, SEOG, calgrant, etc.) is a bit vague. If we are unable to get an undergraduate degree in four years and need the 5th year to get the degree (like at Berkeley w/ the Haas program), will we still receive Pell Grants, SEOG, calgrants, etc.? I know Pell Grants says all students are eligible if they do not have a degree yet.. does this imply that they will offer aid for the 5th year also? Does anyone have experience with this? This is important to me because if I'm not getting aid for the 5th year at Berkeley, I can't really afford to go there and I might have to take up the offer of another school. Thanks!</p>
<p>The school has the discretion to approve a fifth year of aid if it is necessary. In our case the student's academic advisor sent an email to FA, and it was done. The impression we had though was we better not expect anything after that.</p>
<p>Actually, you are able to get federal aid until you no longer meet the schools satisfactory academic progress. This means taking a certain number of credits with a certain GPA. It also mean completing the degree within 150% of the time expected. Some school mulitply the credits to degree by 1.5, others multiply the average 8 semesters by 1.5 (policies vary so check school aid office or website).</p>
<p>But you most definitely can get pell and loans beyond 4 years. Then once you've exceeded the "SAP" you can get further approved. If a school forces approval before that I'm not sure it's really appropriate.</p>