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As a result of recent regulatory changes to the federal Pell grant program, students have an opportunity to complete their program of study earlier by enrolling in summer and possibly receive additional Pell grant funds. The regulations, which govern this change in the Pell grant program, are commonly referred to as Year Round Pell (YRP).

The Federal Pell grant is the largest federal grant program and is the foundation of a student's total "aid package."  Eligibility is determined by the federal government using a standard formula for all applicants.

Below are the changes that address Pell grant eligibility:

Enrollment Status

 For the 2010-2011 academic year, the enrollment status for each semester, including summer, is:

PLEASE NOTE:  The maximum number of units a student may enroll in for Summer is eight (8) units.  Exceptions to enroll in more than 8 units need to be approved by the Counseling Department.  Such exceptions are rare, for EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES ONLY and will not be approved just for financial aid purposes.  Remember that the primary responsibility for meeting college costs rests with students and their families and that financial aid programs have been established to ASSIST students who can document their financial need and have limited resources.  It is not the responsibility of Cuyamaca College to offer/approve courses so that a student can benefit from financial aid. 

Your enrollment status will be 'frozen' after the add/drop period each semester and will be the basis for your Pell Grant disbursement.  Pell awards and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements are based upon Census units. Check with the Financial Aid Office about your summer census date.

Lifetime Eligibility

If you received a Pell grant for the first time on or after July 1, 2008, you are limited to receiving a maximum lifetime limit of up to 900% (or the equivalent of 18 full-time semesters) of a Pell Grant.  The maximum of 18 full-time equivalent semesters applies to all schools and colleges, which includes community colleges, vocational schools, and four-year public and private universities.   However, once you have earned a Bachelor’s Degree, you are no longer eligible for a Pell Grant even if you have not received the entire 900% eligibility.

If you receive the full year amount, regardless of the Pell grant amount, then you have received 100%.

For example, your Pell Grant for the year is for $4,000 and you receive $2,000 in Fall, $1,000 in Spring and the remaining $1,000 in Summer. You have received the entire $4,000 (or 100%) for the year.

 Year Round Pell (YRP)

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008 allows for eligible students to receive up to 200% of their Pell Grant during one academic year.  Specific conditions must be met in order to be eligible for a Year Round Pell (YRP):

•  You must receive 100% of your regular scheduled Pell grant award
• You must be enrolled in at least 6 units for the semester/term that you will receive your Second Pell Grant
• You must have completed 24 units for the academic year

Examples of YRP Eligibility

Example 1 - Student receives 100% of her regular Pell Grant in Fall (paid for 12 units) and Spring (also paid for 12 units) and enrolls in 9 units for Summer.  Student is eligible for YRP of $2,006 based on 9 units enrolled in summer.

Example 2 – Student receives 100% of his regular Pell Grant in Fall (paid for 12 units) and Spring (also paid for 12 units) and enrolls in 3 units for Summer.  Student is not eligible for YRP because he is not enrolled in at least 6 units for the summer and does not have any remaining eligibility of funds for the regular Pell Grant. 

 Example 3 – Student does not receive 100% of his regular Pell Grant in Fall (paid for 9 units) and Spring (paid for 12 units) but is enrolled in 6 units for Summer of which 3 units count towards the Second Pell Grant award. For the summer, the student is eligible for the remaining $669 of the First Pell Grant and $668 from the Second Pell Grant for a total of $1,337. 

These are just three (3) examples of the YRP determination.  Every student will be reviewed and calculated based on their own information (Pell Grant award and percentage received to date, units completed and units enrolled). 

 Summer 2011 Pell Grant

To be eligible to receive a Summer 2011 Pell Grant, you must meet all of the following criteria:

§  Have a completed financial aid file for the 2010-2011 school year at Cuyamaca College.

§  Not be Disqualified based on the Financial Aid Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

§  Qualify for a 2010-2011 Federal Pell Grant.

§  You must enroll in all of your summer classes by July 14, 2011 to be considered for your maximum Pell Grant eligibility.

Important Reminder: Every student’s eligibility is different. Your actual Summer Pell Grant may vary depending on your EFC, your remaining Pell Grant eligibility, your summer enrollment status and your possible eligibility for a Year Round Pell (YRP).

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