2011-12 Pell Grant amounts have now been determined
If you have been following recent news about budget negotiations in the U.S. Congress, you may be aware that there have been several budget deadline extensions for the current fiscal year. Without these extensions, "non-essential" government operations would come to a halt until a budget bill is passed.
The budget for this current fiscal year is also what determines the level of funding for federal aid programs, including the Pell Grant, for the upcoming academic year of 2011-12.
On April 14th, Congress passed the current federal budget, so we know the impact to 2011-12 Pell Grants.
Take Note!
The Pell Grant amounts that appear on the 2011-12 financial aid awards at this time are the final amounts available to full-time students based on their EFC from the FAFSA. (Changes made to the FAFSA may change the amount. At the time of disbursing aid for fall semester, students enrolled in fewer than 12 credits will see the Pell Grant for the semester reduced.)
The Year Round Pell Grant funding has been eliminated. Full time, full Pell Grant students for both fall 2011 and spring 2012 will be ineligible for summer 2012 Pell Grants.
Federal funding has been eliminated for three grant programs for the next academic year (ACG, SMART, and LEAP grants).
Summer 2011 students who were awarded a 2011-12 Pell Grant will now be evaluated based on 2010-11 eligibility. An email message will be sent to each student immediately after that Pell Grant has been changed. A new Timely Tip has been added regarding summer 2011 Pell Grant eligibility. The Year Round Pell Grant Program IS available for this current summer... summer 2011.
Any thoughts or opinions you may have on this topic are best addressed to your senators and representatives in Washington D.C. who are serving your state.