04/09/19
Gadsden State students could be eligible for year-round Pell grant
The U.S. Department of Education has announced that year-round Pell Grants will continue to be available for the upcoming summer semester.
“This is a great resource for our students and will help our college retention and completion initiatives,” said Kelly D’Eath, director of Financial Aid at Gadsden State Community College. “Students may be eligible to receive up to a full-time semester award for the summer.”
In order to receive these additional funds, the student must be enrolled at least half time. For example, students who enrolled full time and received the full-time Pell Grant amount for the fall and spring semesters, must enroll at least half time in summer classes to receive a summer Pell Grant. Students who enrolled less than full time for the fall and spring semesters do not have a minimum credit requirement to receive the summer Pell Grant.
“Students who did not attend full time fall or spring semesters do not have the half-time requirement for summer Pell funding,” she said.
Students qualified for the summer grant must have completed the 2018-19 FAFSA application and been deemed Pell Grant eligible.
Students must enroll in summer courses, and they must be meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards. The SAP monitors the student’s academic work in three categories: grade point average, pace (the credits earned out of the credits attempted) and maximum time (overall credits taken towards your college credential). Students who do not meet the SAP standards will not receive Pell Grant funding but will still have the option of paying out-of-pocket for their college courses.
To receive a Pell Grant for the summer semester, students must also have lifetime Pell Grant eligibility remaining.
“The maximum timeframe that students may receive Federal Pell Grant is the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters,” she said. “One full-time semester of receiving Pell Grant funding equals 50 percent.”
Registration for summer semester classes at Gadsden State is underway. Classes for Summer I mini semester start May 8 with full summer semester beginning May 28. For more information on financial aid at Gadsden State, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu/financial_aid/home.