<p>Can someone verify that the Pell Grant is available to students for up to 12 semesters -- i.e. a student could attend college (for a B.A.) for 6 years going fall and spring only <em>or</em> could attend fall, spring and summer as a full-time student?</p>
<p>And is the student eligible for Stafford loans for the same amount of time? We know that state aid is only available for 4 years/8 semesters yet cannot figure out about the Stafford loans. Any guidance appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>I have received the Pell all 4 years (Fall & Spring semesters) & have been offered (but declined) Stafford for each semester as well. </p>
<p>Sorry, I only have anecdotal information.</p>
<p>You can only get the Pell for fall and spring if you’re a full time student. Not the third semester. They tried that for whopping two years before declaring it a failure :rolleyes:</p>
<p>But at full time, you get twelve semesters. </p>
<p>For Stafford I believe you can borrow up to the limit with no time limit but I’m not positive.</p>
<p>I agree with Romani, that in therory, you can get up to 12 semesters. However, you must also be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. I think the change has now been designed for students to go to college pick a major, complete the major and graduate. For student who take the “scenic” route through college (2/3 majors, majors and minors, changing majors or just racking up credits), they could be left out in the cold either having run out of time or getting more than 150% of credits (even if this happens in less than 6 years).</p>
<p>Stafford (now called direct) loans have a per year and an aggregate dollar limit. For a dependent student the per year limits are based on the student’s academic year - freshman=$5,500, sophomore $6,500, 3rd year and above $7500. But the aggregate limit is $31,000 so you can’t get full loans for 6 years. Also annual student loans are usually split into 2 equal semesters and if you have received the full loan allowed for the school year you can’t get more for the summer.</p>
<p>As others have said, additional summer pell was only offered for a couple of years. if you have received your full entitlement of Pell for the regular school year you can not get additional during the summer.</p>
<p>Thanks swimcatsmom and all. I understand that there is a financial “cap,” yet if the student attends <em>only</em> spring and summer for one academic year (vs. fall and spring), would the Pell be carried over from fall to summer as the amount would be the same only used differently? And would the same possibly apply for the Stafford/direct – the amount given for the academic year would be used in the spring and summer only?</p>
<p>Briefly:</p>
<p>Pell: Effective Fall 2012, students are eligible to receive Pell grants for up to 12 FULL TIME semesters. </p>
<p>Stafford Loans: Students are eligible for an annual cap based on dependency status and grade level, and are subject to lifetime aggregate limits based on dependency status and degree type sought. Please see chart at [Subsidized</a> and Unsubsidized Loans | Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/subsidized-and-unsubsidized]Subsidized”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/subsidized-and-unsubsidized) for details. </p>
<p>As for your question, it depends on how your insitution structures its summer term(s) and whether they participate in the Stafford program in the summer. If you qualify for a Pell grant and only use 50% (or less) of the annual scheduled award based on your EFC, you should be able to use the remaining annual Pell amount for the summer semester. However, because the structure of the semester is relevant (i.e. – does the term cross over the July 1, etc.), you should contact your school directly to determine summer exact summer eligibility. </p>
<p>Same concept typically applies for loans, but this also depends on institutional policy regading the summer term and how they calculate annual eligibility and enrollment status. Different schools do this differently, and although I would like to give you a definitive answer, you really do need to contact the school.</p>