Q: Is there a federal Pell Grant for part time students, or must college students be enrolled as a full time student in order to become eligible for the federal Pell Grant? Also, how will a student receive the money from a Pell Grant?
A: A part time student may be eligible for the federal Pell Grant, however college students that fall below part or half time will not be eligible. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2011-2012 academic year is $5,550, however the amount a student is awarded in Pell Grant funds will depend on a number of factors including the students EFC, cost of attendance, and the amount of time a student attends or is enrolled in school (full-time or part-time student and/or a student enrolled for a full academic year or partial academic year).
As for the disbursement of federal Pell Grant funds, this will depend on the method the student’s school uses. Some schools may pay the student their federal Pell Grant award directly, while others may apply the Pell Grant award as a credit to the students account. Schools are required to disburse a students Pell Grant award once per term (semester, trimmest, or quarter, depending on which the students school uses). The school will notify any and all students receiving a Pell Grant about the method of disbursement/payment, and the schedule for payments.
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