Skip to main content

Saved by the Pell: Three Things to Know about the Year-Round Pell Grant


Last year, the U.S. Department of Education announced that the award window for the Federal Pell Grant would be
extended to include the summer semester. This is in contrast to the previous policy, which restricted eligibility to the Fall and Spring semesters, when college students have traditionally taken the bulk of their classes. 

This is great news for adult learners who do not typically follow the “traditional” schedule but, instead, prefer to take courses in shorter accelerated terms with minimum breaks in-between. This accelerated schedule allows students to take more classes within the same amount of time, shortening their path to graduation. As Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said herself, “this decision is about empowering students and giving them the flexibility and support needed to achieve their goals. Expanding access to the Pell program, so that students who need additional resources can graduate more quickly and with less debt, is the right thing to do." 

Whether you are a current college student receiving the Pell Grant, or someone considering returning to school— you may have questions about this new funding opportunity and how you can utilize it to achieve your goals. 

Here are three things you should know about the Pell Grant:
  1. Pell Grant eligibility is determined through the FAFSA form.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the official application to apply for all Federal Student Aid. Many adult learners do not complete the FAFSA for different reasons. They may think they are “too old” to qualify for financial aid, or they may be reluctant to take on the debt that comes with student loans. However, by not completing the FAFSA, you may be leaving free money on the table. When you complete the FAFSA, your eligibility for all types of aid is determined— including the Federal Pell Grant which, unlike loans, does not have to be repaid. That’s right, it’s free money!
  2. There is no age limit for Pell Grant eligibility. There are some common misconceptions out there about financial aid. One is that you must be a traditional college student to qualify for aid, or that there is an age limit to receive aid. This is false! Whether you are fresh out of high school or in your 40’s working on a degree you started years ago, most people qualify for some sort of financial aid. Eligibility for the Pell Grant is determined strictly by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your age has absolutely nothing to do with it, so don’t let that deter you!
  3. You must be enrolled full-time to be eligible, but... The phrase “full-time” student may scare some adult students. However, it doesn’t always mean what you think it means. The U.S. government defines “full-time” enrollment as six hours for the summer semester. So, even though you may work a full-time job and take classes on the side, you are still eligible to receive Pell funding if you are enrolled in at least two three-hour courses for the summer.
Now that Pell Grant is back for the Summer, eligible students can receive up to 50% more than their original award amount. The bottom line is this: If you are eligible for Pell, or think you might be eligible for Pell, do not let this opportunity pass you by! Summer is a great time to get ahead in your classes, and by taking classes online, you can still travel and enjoy the sunny season as you normally would. Check out the eCore summer schedule and the eMajor summer schedule to see what online classes you might want to take with your summer Pell money. 

For specific questions about your financial aid eligibility, please contact the Financial Aid Office at your eCore home institutioneMajor home institution, or the institution to which you are considering applying. 



By Jessica Blakemore
Media Contact: Katie Black, kblack@ecampus.usg.edu

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

3 Things to Consider Before Taking an Online Class While Overseas

Online Learning allows students the flexibility of continuing their educational journey from anywhere in the world. Online classes are an excellent option for students who are studying abroad for the semester, military members and families who are stationed overseas, or even those who want to take classes while traveling for pleasure. While online classes can usually be accessed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection, there are some things to consider before registering for class if you intend to complete the course while located outside of the U.S.  Availability of a Reliable Internet Connection To access most online classes, students must have a reliable internet connection. This may be a challenge in some areas of the world due to various issues such as local network instability, outages, firewalls, or restrictive local internet policies. Before registering for an online class, research the internet accessibility situation in the area in which you pl

Sitting in the Front Row of an Online Class

We all remember that first day of class and trying to decide where to sit. Even when we felt like hiding in the back row (and texting on our cell phones), we knew we were probably better off in the front. It seemed that the ones just a few feet from the lectern were almost part of the instructor’s secret club. And when we joined that club on the first row, it seemed as though our grades were higher, the teachers liked us more, and we were more confident. Being at the front of the class felt like being at the top of the class. In an online class, the front row has a lot more room than it does in a traditional classroom. There’s space for a lot more of us to be an active part of the learning experience. And finding that perfect spot is fairly simple - even in a virtual space. Provide a memorable introduction. Most courses provide for an opportunity to introduce yourself during the first days of class. Make a positive impression by not only telling about your academic goals but revealing

March Freebie: No Application Fee for Most USG Colleges and Universities

Free applications are back at more than 20 institutions in the University System of Georgia. During the month of March, potential students can apply for admissions to most USG institutions at no charge. By waiving fees, institutions are able to increase applicant pools and remove a financial barrier for those who might otherwise be reluctant to apply. Rates vary across institutions but savings can be significant. For a student applying at 10 USG institutions with average fees of $40, the savings would be $400.   Students may apply for as many schools as they wish. Most institutions will automatically waive the fee during the application process. A few require specific steps during the application process. Below is a listing of all participating USG institutions and additional instructions where needed. USG Institutions Requiring No Code for Free Applications in March 2024 Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College ( application ) Atlanta Metropolitan State College ( application ) Clayton Sta