Year Round Pell

Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, an eligible student may now receive full Federal Pell Grant for the summer, even if they received a full Federal Pell Grant during the fall and spring semesters. Year-round Pell allows students to receive up to 150 percent of a regular grant award over the course of the academic year so that they can continue taking classes in the summer and finish their degrees faster than they would otherwise.

With careful planning, Pell Grant recipients may take advantage of this new regulation to earn their degree faster. However, students should keep in mind that the summer term is shorter (10 weeks) than fall and spring semesters (16 weeks). Students should take a manageable course load for the shorter summer term.

Note: The provisions of the new law state that any Pell Grant received will be included in determining the student’s Pell Grant duration of eligibility and Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU). To be eligible for additional Pell Grant funds:

• student must be otherwise eligible to receive Pell Grant funds for the payment period
• student must be enrolled at least half-time in the payment period(s) (6 credit hours) during the summer term
• student must be maintaining satisfactory academic progress