<p>Hi! I am transferring to Houston community college for spring semester due to family/money issue. My parents just recently got separated and now my EFC=0. Will I get full $5500 for pell grant in spring at community college? or just half? Note: I haven't received any pell grant, just loan.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Are you talking about 2013-2014 financial aid or 2012-2013 financial aid?</p>
<p>2013-2014 financial aid:
Yes, you should get Pell grant, up to the your school’s COA or tuition & fees.</p>
<p>2012-2013 financial aid:
Maybe: you need to contact your school’s FAO and request a review of your special circumstances (a drastic change in the family’s situation causing a major reduction in income.)</p>
<p>The Spring 2013 is based on the 2012-2013 FAFSA you filed last year. Has the school you are transferring to made a special circumstances adjustment for you? I don’t quite understand how you EFC would have changed otherwise.</p>
<p>But, no, you can’t get a full year’s Pell in one semester. The Pell is divided into semesters (or quarters for quarter schools). Even if you do not attend school in the fall, you can not get a full year’s pell for the spring. Just the semester’s pell.</p>
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<p>The Pell (unlike most other federal aid) is an entitlement grant. It is based on EFC and enrollment status (full time, part time etc). It is not affected by the COA.</p>
<p>Yes. The financial aid counselor at the university told me that I will get full $5500 next semester. but I just wasn’t sure if I will get that amount for community college.</p>
<p>I’m guessing that your current school is able to award you the full year’s Pell because they have adjusted your EFC for the year, so they are adjusting for the fact that you should have got it there at that particular school in the fall. I don’t think you will get the full year’s at the CC because you did not attend the CC in the fall. </p>
<p>Really only the CC can tell you for sure. Have you asked them? </p>
<p>I would be interested to hear the outcome. Please let us know. I have always been of the understanding that it is not possible to get the full year’s pell for one semester. If I am wrong, I would like to know so that I don’t spread misinformation.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>OP,
Did you attend any college in the Fall of 2012?</p>
<p>swimcatsmom - I went to HCC today, she told me that I will received full $5500 + loan. Half for Spring and half for summer.</p>
<p>4kidsdad- Yes, But I didn’t take out any grants.</p>
<p>Yes, you absolutely can receive the other half during the summer if you enroll full time in the summer. One of my family has done that in the past. I thought you were only asking if you could get it all in the spring semester.</p>
<p>I was hoping to get it all during spring13 but I’m going to take summer classes anyway so it’s all good :)</p>