The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 brought potential changes to Pell Grant for students attending college year-round. (Attending year-round means enrolling at least half-time every semester: Summer, AND Fall, AND Spring.)

At BGSU financial aid is awarded on a yearly basis with Summer considered to be the start of an academic year. Previously, when a student received Pell Grant in the Summer, it could reduce their Pell eligibility for the rest of the academic year. A student attending year-round used to receive less Pell Grant during Spring semester due to annual limits to Pell and what had already been paid during Summer and Fall.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 brings changes which mean a student’s Pell Grant eligibility for Fall, 2009 and Spring, 2010 will not be affected by any Pell Grant they receive during Summer, 2009.

These changes will not go into effect until July 1, 2009. If you are a Pell recipient taking Summer courses, your financial aid will be reviewed after July 1, 2009 to determine whether you qualify for additional Pell funding for Fall or Spring semester.

Also, please keep in mind that Pell Grants for Summer will not be disbursed until July 1, 2009.