Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. It is available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.

Eligibility

Eligibility is determined by the 'expected family contribution' (EFC), which is calculated when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is filed. Amounts can change annually, but the maximum award amount for the 2023-2024 aid year is $7,395. The amount you are awarded depends on your financial need, your cost of attendance (determined by the institution), your status as either a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend a full academic year or less. You may not receive the Federal Pell Grant from more than school at a time.

  • You must enroll in at least 12 hours to receive your maximum amount of funds for the Pell Grant
  • Your Pell Grant amount will reduce if you enroll in less than 12 credit hours
  • The Department of Education requires that the Financial Aid Office set a 'freeze date', after which your Pell Grant cannot be increased due to changes in your schedule
  • Pell Grant funds will be calculated based on hours recorded at the enrollment 'freeze date'. For dates and deadlines, check out The Scoop.
  • If you enroll in less than 12 hours in the fall or spring semester, you may receive the remainder of your Pell Grant eligibility in the summer semester, provided you are still eligible for financial aid.

2023-2024 Pell Grant Chart (PDF)

Year Round Pell

Students can now receive Pell Grant funding during the summer semester. Students are eligible for up to 150% of their award amount in a year. In order to receive the additional amount, students must be enrolled in 6 credit hours.

Pell Lifetime Eligibility Usage

The Department of Education has established lifetime limits for Pell Grant funding. A student is not eligible for more than 600% (approximately 6 years) of Pell Grant funding. Once this limit has been reached, you will no longer receive Pell funding. Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (Pell LEU) can be checked online through the National Student Loan Data System.

Pell Recalculation Policy

In accordance with Department of Education regulations, The University of West Georgia will recalculate financial aid awards based on the student’s enrollment status for the semester at the conclusion of the initial Roster Verification period for the first part of term in which the student is enrolled.

Fall and Spring Semesters

  • If a student is enrolled in Full Term courses only, the student’s enrollment will be frozen at the end of Roster Verification for the Full Term session.
  • If a student is enrolled in Session I courses only or a combination of Full Term and Session I courses, the student’s enrollment will be frozen at the end of Roster Verification for the full term session.
  • If a student is enrolled in any combination of Full Term, Session I, and Session II courses, the student’s enrollment will be frozen at the end of Roster Verification for the Full Term session.
  • If a student is enrolled in Session II courses only, the student’s enrollment will be frozen at the end of Roster Verification for Session II.
  • Courses that are “late added” after the Enrollment Freeze is complete will not count towards the student’s enrollment for that semester. Adjustments will be made only in the case of institutional error (such as professor mistake) as deemed appropriate by the director.

Summer Semester

  • A student’s enrollment will be frozen at the end of Roster Verification for the student’s first session of enrollment.
  • Courses that are “late added” after the Enrollment Freeze is complete will not count towards the student’s enrollment for that semester. Adjustments will be made only in the case of institutional error (such as professor mistake) as deemed appropriate by the director.

Note:
A student enrolled in full-term courses cannot add additional second session courses after the full session roster verification in order to increase his/her financial aid eligibility. Example – A student is enrolled in 10 hours at the Fall Full Session enrollment freeze date. After that date, the student adds a 3-hour course and is now at 13 hours (full time). This course would not be counted in the student’s enrollment for Fall semester financial aid purposes. However, it would be counted for Satisfactory Academic Progress purposes.

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