Federal changes limit lifetime Pell Grant benefit to 12 semesters

The amount of time a college student can now receive Pell grants has been significantly reduced from 18 semesters to 12 semesters (a semester is equivalent to one-half year).  The change took effect July, 2012 and is part of several reductions the federal government has made to financial aid this year.

Prior to this change, students could receive up to 18 semesters of Pell grants starting from the school year 2008-09.  Now, it is reduced to 12 semesters and records of Pell grants are being tracked from the beginning of the program. 

This means a lifetime limit has been placed on Pell grants.  Any Pell grant received at any time will be counted toward the lifetime limit of 12 semesters.  After that, students are no longer eligible to receive Pell grants.

Twelve semesters is the equivalent of 6 years of financial aid which, for many students, is sufficient to complete their bachelor’s degree.

Where some students could get into trouble is by changing their major or by taking too many classes that don’t pertain to their degree program.  By not staying focused on their major, some students could end up without a degree and have no more grant money available.

This is all part of federal changes that are “forcing progression to degree completion,” said Mellony Stratton, who recently retired fromm the UCC financial aid office, but still works there part-time.  “The goal is more college degrees.”

Not all students agree that this change will result in more college degrees.  Students returning to school after being away may find themselves without enough financial aid to complete their degree. 

Amber Mozell, UCC nursing student, went to a vocational school to receive a nursing assistant certificate.  After working for three years, she decided to enroll at UCC to become an RN.  While attending the vocational school, she received Pell grants, however, the classes she took were not counted by UCC.  “Now I am limited and must plan my classes well or I will run out of aid,” said Mozell.

“If students are getting the grades and applying themselves, why not let them take their education to the highest level?”—Amber Mozell

Mozell would like to get her masters degree in nursing, but is unsure about the financing.  “With these types of restrictions, it could lead to many students getting close to graduating and then not having the means to finish,” said Mozell.  “It doesn’t make sense,” she added.  “If a student is getting the grades and applying themselves, why not let them take their education to the highest level?  It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Twelve semesters is not nearly enough for students seeking an education beyond a bachelor’s degree.  Brittany Jones, UCC premed student, is planning to be a doctor.  After graduating from UCC, she is anticipating an additional four years at a major university before going on to medical school.  “With this new change, Pell grants will expire halfway through my time at the university,” said Jones. 

 Schools use percentages to track the amount of Pell grants used with 600 percent the maximum (100 percent for each of the 6 years). The percentages used are based on fulltime enrollment status.  For students taking 12 or more credits and receiving a Pell grant at full-time status, the percentage used for the 2012-13 academic year will be 100 percent. 

Percentages are prorated for part-time attendance, so if students who attend college and receive a Pell grant for 9 credits during the academic year, the percentage used is 75 percent.  Half time is 50 percent.  These percentages are cumulative until the maximum 600 percent is reached.

Pell grants allocations are currently being reviewed and updated in a national database.  Students can go to the National Student Loan Data System (for students) to access their information and find out the percentage of Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU). Students will need to log on to www. NSLDS.ed.gov and use their Federal Student Aid PIN to view their LEU.

For questions about the amounts on record, students can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

The Mainstream is a student publication of Umpqua Community College.