Year-Round Pell Grants

Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, an eligible student may now receive full Federal Pell Grant for a summer term 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 than fall and spring semesters. Student should consult with their academic advisor to develop a manageable course load for the shorter summer term. Just because students may be eligible for full-time Pell Grant fund DOES NOT mean students are required to carry a full-time load.

Note: The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by a federal law to be 600 percent.  If a student’s lifetime eligibility used (LEU) equals or exceeds 600 percent, the student may no longer receive Pell Grant funding. Students can log on to www.nslds.ed.gov to view their Pell Grant 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 in 6 credit hours. Summer enrollment includes any regular courses taken during the first Summer Session I, Summer Session II, and Summer Session IV. However, if the student is enrolled in 6 credit hours in multiple session and drops the 3 credit hour course this may make them ineligible for the additional Year Round Pell award.
• Student must be maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

How much may I receive in Year-Round Pell?

Student A has a zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and is eligible for a full Federal Pell Grant for the 2023-24 academic year. Student A was enrolled full-time for the fall and spring semesters and received full Pell disbursements. With the new implementation of YEAR ROUND PELL, the student will now be eligible to receive a full-time disbursement in SUMMER if enrolled in twelve credit hours.

Student B has a zero EFC and is eligible for a full Federal Pell Grant for the 2023-24 academic year. Student B was enrolled full-time for the fall and spring semesters and received full Pell disbursements.  With the new implementation of YEAR ROUND PELL, the student will now be eligible to receive a half-time disbursement in SUMMER if enrolled in six credit hours.

Student C has a zero EFC and is eligible for a full Federal Pell Grant for the 2023-24 academic year. Student C was enrolled full-time for the fall semester and received a full disbursement and was enrolled three-quarter time for the spring semester and received a three-quarter time disbursement.  With the new implementation of YEAR ROUND PELL, the student will now be eligible to receive a full disbursement in SUMMER if enrolled in twelve credit hours.

Student D has a zero EFC and is eligible for a full Federal Pell Grant for the 2023-24 academic year.  Student D was enrolled full-time for the fall and spring semesters but only enrolls for four credit hours during the summer semester.  Student D is not enrolled at least half-time and therefore is not eligible for additional Pell Grant funds for SUMMER.

If you have any questions, please contact Averett Central at 434-791-5600 or 1-800-AVERETT.