<p>From a link on another thread I found this: </p>
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The HEOA legislation authorized schools to disburse up to two Pell Grants in a single award year to Pell-eligible students. We also refer to this provision as allowing up to 200 percent of a students Pell Grant scheduled award in a single award year or allowing up to two times a students Pell Grant scheduled award in a single award year. This change was implemented during the 2009-2010 award year.
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<p>Could someone just give me a quick overview of this? Does it mean that if you go to school year round you can get extra Pell Grant money? I am just very confused and wondering what it meant. </p>
<p>What this means is that you may receive up to 2 full Pell grant awards within a 12 month period. Few students would be able to do that, but it is possible. For some, though, getting 1.5 awards is certainly a good possibility.</p>
<p>The regulations have just been sent out & I haven’t had a chance to go through everything, but: Student eligible for a Pell grant of $4000. That means student can receive $2000 fall, $2000 winter. Let’s say student takes a full time course load each semester & doesn’t withdraw from any classes. Student has received her full Pell grant award. In the past, she wouldn’t get any Pell for summer classes.</p>
<p>Now let’s say that student takes summer classes this year. She can now receive Pell for those classes … IF she takes at least a half time course load. </p>
<p>The fly in the ointment is that students have to complete at least a full time load of courses over the course of the time during which they receive their first 100% award in order to receive the second award - meaning that we would have to monitor for withdrawals. In the example above, say the student withdrew from some of her 24 credits at some point during those terms. She enrolled in & paid for 24 credits during the year, but she only completed 16 credits. In this case, she can receive her extra Pell payment in the summer term, but if she drops below 8 credits, she loses the whole payment. This is one I am still trying to wrap my mind around.</p>
<p>Students could receive 2 full Pell awards by going to school in the summer, fall, winter, and spring in an award year. </p>
<p>The new regs just came out last week, and federal training will happen in the next couple weeks. I will update as I find things out.</p>
<p>Is it for the 09-10 school year as well? So say someone is enrolled 13 credits for fall, 13 for winter, and then 6 or 7 for spring then they could get the second pell award (half time obviously) for the spring semester THIS year or do we have to wait until 2011?</p>
<p>Also, do we know if we have to fill out a separate application we have to file or is it automatic for those who already submitted FAFSA?</p>
<p>Thanks so much, and sorry for the questions, I know it’s a brand new thing lol.</p>
<p>It is effective for the current year (09-10) — the government actually is still writing the rules for this year!! It should be automatic. Because this is new & really different, there may be some glitches in aid offices as it is rolled out. I know that I am already preparing for how I will handle posting the second payments for winter. I have a lot of students who go to another local school in the summer that traditionally paid Pell as a summer header (that is, they started the aid year in the summer, rather than the fall). Some of my students will already be slated for award #2 in January — I have to check prior enrollment and click a box that will allow the 2nd award to be accepted. I don’t know what kind of issues I will encounter yet!</p>
<p>Wow. I feel so bad for the FA officers this year, especially in Michigan. Between the Academic Competitiveness Grant changing the wording, this new double pell grant, the loss of the Michigan Promise, etc. I bet you guys are looking forward to vacation more than most college students! </p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice kelsmom, you’re a financial life saver! :)</p>
<p>Oh sorry, one more question. I know you can’t split the pell between two schools but can you use the second pell at a different school? For example, I am at MSU but I live much closer to EMU and am taking a few classes there this summer. Could I use the second pell there or would I only be eligible to use it at MSU?</p>
<p>Thanks so much! I can’t believe they’re still writing the rules this far into the school year :/.</p>
<p>You have to be a “regular student in a degree-seeking program” to get federal aid. Different schools handle this differently. Where I work, we do not allow summer students to get into a degree program, so they are guest students … and guest students are not eligible for aid. I would bet EMU would classify you as a guest student, so you would not be eligible for Pell. </p>
<p>Rules being made after the year begins is par for the course in financial aid. :)</p>
<p>Wow. this is amazing. The students I counsel/advise usually are stuck with more loans for summer classes–this would be an incredible change for them!</p>
<p>Did this just happen? I’ve been out of work a couple days, and away from the Trio Listserv where I’d usually hear stuff like this.</p>