February is National Financial Aid Awareness Month. Recent changes will allow current Pell recipients who have exhausted their aid to receive additional aid during the summer
Texas Border Business
MCALLEN, TEXAS (Feb. 8, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Education has made changes to the Federal Pell Grant that may help students interested in attending classes during summer 2018.
Recent changes will allow current Pell recipients who have exhausted their aid to receive additional aid during the summer. Current Pell recipients do not have to complete additional paperwork to take advantage of this opportunity because the 2017-2018 FAFSA also includes the 2018 summer semester.
“To be eligible for an additional Pell Grant for the summer, a student must enroll in at least six credit hours during the summer semester. The amount awarded is based on need and other eligibility criteria,” said Juan Miguel Galvan, Director of Student Financial Services at South Texas College. “This is an opportunity that will allow students to attend all year and advance in their program of study.”
The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain postbaccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. For many students in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the great benefits of attending STC is the prospect of graduating debt free thanks to Federal Pell Grants that never have to be repaid, as long students meet eligibility requirements.
Grant amounts are dependent on the student’s expected family contribution, cost of attendance, enrollment status, and whether the student attends for a full academic year or less.
“This change has increased the Pell Grant from 100 percent to 150 percent, which means that a student that has exhausted their Pell Grant after attending fall and spring full-time now has an additional Pell Grant in the summer as long as they meet certain eligibility requirements,” Galvan said.
Students interested in learning about their eligibility for summer Pell Grants are encouraged to visit the Office of Student Financial Services.
In recognition of National Financial Aid Awareness Month in February, the Office of Student Financial Services at South Texas College will host a financial aid fair on Wednesday, Feb. 28th at STC’s three main campuses, Pecan, Mid-Valley and Starr County from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The purpose of the event is to promote FAFSA submission and help eligible students receive financial aid for 2017-2018 and the upcoming 2018-2019 award year,” Galvan said.
Students who want to apply for financial aid are encouraged to go online to https://fafsa.ed.gov/ to start their free application. For more information, please contact STC Student Financial Services at 956-872-8375.
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