How does my enrollment status and class attendance affect my PELL amount?

The amount of your Federal Pell Grant is fractionally pro-rated based on your enrollment status each semester. You may qualify for PELL even if you are enrolled part-time.  Determine your eligible enrollment status by counting the number of credits or equated credits for which you have been charged tuition.

FULL-TIME — enrolled for 12 or more credits or equated credits equals 100% of a semester’s scheduled PELL.

3/4-TIME — enrolled for at least 9, but fewer than 12 credits or equated credits equals 75% of a semester’s scheduled PELL.

HALF-TIME — enrolled for at least 6, but fewer than 9 credits or equated credits equals 50% of a semester’s scheduled PELL.

LESS THAN HALF-TIME — enrolled for at least 1, but fewer than 6 credits or equated credits equals 25% of a semester’s scheduled PELL.

Note: there is a 30 hour limit on payment for remedial non-ESL courses. If you have exceeded the 30 credit hour limit on payment for remedial courses, these courses will be excluded from your semester enrollment for calculating your PELL award amount. Learn more.

To qualify for a Federal Pell Grant award payment, you must begin attendance in your classes. The Office of Financial Aid uses attendance information reported by your instructors to determine whether or not you have actually begun attendance. If your instructor reports you never attended a class for which you have received a payment, you will be asked to return those funds.

What if I need money at the beginning of the semester for books and transportation?