Are you planning to receive Federal Pell Grant funds for summer? Or have you asked the financial aid office about summer Pell Grant and gotten a “this is probably the way it will work” answer? 

If yes, then the information in this email directly applies to you.
 
The U.S. Department of Education issued new Pell Grant regulations Wednesday afternoon. Today I want to make you aware of this information and how it will affect you. Please note these rules are for this summer only.

• All summer 2011 semester financial aid will be processed based on the 2010-2011 FAFSA. (The 2011-2012 FAFSA will not be used until the fall 2011 semester)
• If a student was not full-time in either or both fall and spring semesters, he will have Pell Grant eligibility left for summer. (see example on Carl)
• If a student was full-time in both fall and spring semesters, she could qualify for Pell Grant in the summer if she meets these conditions:
• Enrolled in at least 6 eligible credit hours for summer
• Has “academic progression.” Meaning if her fall credit hours passed, plus her spring credit hours passed, plus her summer credit hours certified enrollment will equal 27 or more credit hours. (Winter intersession hours could count as part of or spring credit hours passed.)

Still not sure how this affects you or if you qualify? Here are some examples.

Part-time
Carl took 6 credit hours in the fall semester and passed 6. He took 12 hours in the spring and passed 6. He was paid part-time Pell Grant in the fall semester and full-time Pell Grant in the spring semester. He now wants to take summer classes. He has Pell Grant eligibility left because He was not full-time in both fall and spring semesters.

Passing All Classes
Kyle took 12 credit hours in the fall semester and passed 12. He took 12 hours in the spring semester, and again passed 12. He now wants to enroll for summer, and wonders if he can get additional Pell Grant. He plans to enroll in 6 credit hours. 12 + 12 + 6 = 30. Kyle meets academic progression and is eligible for additional Pell Grant.

Failed/Withdrew From Some Classes
Crystal took 12 credit hours in the fall and passed 9. She then took 12 hours in the spring and passed 9 again. She was paid full-time Pell Grant in both fall and spring semesters. She now wants to enroll for summer, if she can get additional Pell Grant. She plans to enroll in 6 credit hours. 9 + 9 + 6 = 24. Crystal does not meet academic progression and would not be eligible for any Pell Grant in her 6 credit hours. BUT if Crystal would enroll in 9 credit hours for summer (9+9+9=27) she would then meet academic progression and be eligible for Pell Grant.

Kayla took 12 credit hours in the fall semester and passed 12. She took 15 hours in the spring semester, but only passed 10. She now wants to enroll for summer, if she can get additional Pell Grant. She plans to enroll in 6 credit hours. 12 + 10 + 6 = 28. Kayla meets academic progression and is eligible for additional Pell Grant.

More Questions?
If you would like more information on these regulations or how these changes will affect you, please contact your financial aid specialist or myself.

Chanute Financial Aid Specialist: Jane Cox. 620.431.2820 x.278. jcox@neosho.edu.
Ottawa Financial Aid Specialist: Susan Beddo. 785.242.2067 x.315. sbeddo@neosho.edu.