Pell Grant

Basic Eligibility Criteria
Enrollment Activity May Affect your Pell Grant
Summer Pell Grant
Updates to the Federal Pell Grant Program

Pell Grants are awarded based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and are available only to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Pell is a federal grant, not a loan, and does not need to be paid back. Beginning in the summer of 2012, students are limited to a maximum lifetime limit of the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters of eligibility. This limit applies to all students.

The Pell Grant award maximum and requirements can change each award year and depends on program funding. The amount you receive will depend not only on your FAFSA results, but also on your status as a full-time or part-time student and your plans to attend Kent State for a full academic year or less. Initial award amounts are based on the student’s Expected Family Contribution and projected enrollment status. The Pell Grant requires you to begin attendance each semester and may be adjusted if your actual enrollment does not correspond to your projected enrollment status. Students are not permitted to receive Pell grant funds at more than one higher education institution for the same enrollment period.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

• You are enrolled in a regular degree program.
• You are a U. S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• You are making Satisfactory Academic Progress. (See http://www.kent.edu/financialaid/applying/academicprogress.cfm)
• You are not in default on any federal student aid.
• You are eligible based on the results of the FAFSA (EFC determines eligibility)
• You have NOT previously earned a bachelor’s degree.
• You have not reached your lifetime eligibility limit of the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters of eligibility.

Enrollment Activity May Affect Your Pell Grant

Refer to this link to determine how changes in enrollment activity and repeating classes may affect your Pell Grant: http://www.kent.edu/financialaid/office/repeatingcoursework.cfm

Summer Pell Grant

To apply for summer financial aid, including a Pell Grant, complete the Summer Aid Request form at: http://www.kent.edu/financialaid/summeraidrequest.cfm Students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the upcoming academic year to apply for summer financial aid. All students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and are enrolled in summer classes will be awarded a Pell Grant. Students who use a portion of their Pell Grant in the summer may have their Pell Grant reduced for the spring semester. Review your FlashLine account after your summer aid application is processed for adjustments to your Pell Grant as a result of a summer Pell Grant award.

Updates to the Federal Pell Grant Program

Impact of Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 on Federal Pell Grants (signed into law December 23, 2011)

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 reduced a student’s duration of eligibility to receive Federal Pell Grant from 18 semesters (or its equivalent) to 12 semesters (or its equivalent). This provision applies to all Federal Pell Grant eligible students and is effective beginning with the 2012-13 award year. The calculation of the duration of a student’s eligibility will include all years of the student’s receipt of Federal Pell Grant funding. This new federal regulation will affect all Federal Pell Grant recipients and is not limited to the students who received their first Federal Pell Grant on or after the 2008-2009 award year.

Impact of approval of the 2011 Federal Budget to your Pell Grant (Year Round Pell Grant)

Due to recent changes in the Federal Budget for fiscal year 2011, the Year Round Pell Grant program ended after the Summer 2011 semester. All Pell Grant awards will be limited to one academic year of eligibility. Students should review their FlashLine account on a regular basis for changes and additional information.

In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the following updates are effective:

• Children of U.S. military veterans may be eligible to receive the maximum Federal Pell Grant award if their parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of performing military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. The student must have been under 24 years of age or enrolled in college at the time of the parent or guardian's death. In addition, the student must already be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant award under the original determination of eligibility.
• Any student who is subject to an involuntary civil commitment after completing a period of incarceration for a forcible or non-forcible sexual offense is ineligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant.