(Archive February 2018) Summer Session Pell Grants Return

By Jennifer Lamontagne | Staff Photographer

Pell grants are Federally funded to people who qualify for financial aid. They can be cut or added back based on federal funding. The Pell grants for summer classes are back.

According to Kelly Morris, Director of Financial Aid, “students need to have FAFSAs done for the 2018/2019 school year.” FAFSA is through the state and file times can change but for this year, FAFSA applications run from October – May 1^st.  Morris could not stress enough to pay attention to deadlines.

This Pell grant was around in 2010 and 2011 before the funding for it was cut. Colleges spent time advocating for the students and how important that funding was to education.

Morris states, through research that “it’s proven that students who attend full year have a higher chance of graduating faster and on time.” Now that the summer Pell grant is back, it will make that easier for some students.

Pell grant funding is just part of students financial aid packages.  How much funding a student can get is based on the need and enrollment status.  The sooner a student files their FAFSA, the more funding will be available to them.  Financial Aid is based on a first come first serve basis.  

Morris hopes that students will take advantage of the new funding for summer classes.  The financial aid office is always open for students to go in, ask about their financial aid packages, and get help with any financial aid questions.