Pell Grant suddenly revoked for Spring 2017 and Fall 2016 Pell deducted from Spring's Award

Hi basically, I was wondering is there a certain reason that my pell grant would suddenly be taken away for this semester and on top of that what was given to me last semester is also taken away and deducted from this semester’s aid? I’ve met SAP for my school, my Lifetime Eligibility is currently at 575% (before this current semester is disbursed), my understanding is that I could use up to 600%? My financial information hasn’t changed or anything. Is it possible it is a mistake? I plan on calling the financial aid office first thing in the morning. I’m just kind of stressed seeing this right now.

Are you in college full time?

How many courses do you actually need to satisfy your degree requirements?

Yes, I am in school full time. I’m not sure how many courses total I need, but I need about 120 Credit hours and currently have 93. I only need 9 courses.

I just thought of something. I know this semester I wasn’t eligible for the pell grant so that part isn’t that serious to me. Last semester (Fall 2016) would have been my 12th semester of pell grant. On Fall 2015 however, I didn’t go to school that semester after having my baby and returned in spring 2016. So that would have given me 11.5 semester of pell grant at that point. Last semester was the 12th semester. Is it possible that because I didn’t go in and decline fall 2015 awards that it still counted towards my lifetime eligibility? (I had accepted the award long before I realized I wouldn’t be able to enroll in fall 2015).

Sorry if that sounds confusing.

Go talk to your FA office and ask what their reasoning is.

My guess is that your entire Pell amount for the year was automatically removed while the financial aid office double-checks your eligibility. You are very close to your lifetime limit, and the school has to do a full review to make sure you are not overawarded.

You don’t actually get 12 semesters of Pell. What you get is the equivalent of 600% - any partial payments in a given semester count as a percentage, not a full semester. If you were at 575% AFTER your fall disbursement, and if the financial aid office review shows that the 575% is correct, you will receive your fall payment back + 25% of your annual Pell award for spring (if you are taking fewer than 6 credits this semester, you’ll get the amount for which you are eligible based on credits & then have a little left over for a future semester).