Year Round Pell

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 allows a student to receive Federal Pell Grant funds for up to 150 percent of the student’s Pell Grant Scheduled Award for an award year. Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, an eligible student may now receive a full Federal Pell Grant for summer, even if they received a full Federal Pell Grant during the fall and winter semesters.  Year-Round Pell allows students to receive up to 150 percent of a regular grant award over the course of the academic year so that they can continue taking classes in the summer and finish their degrees faster than they would, otherwise. 

To be eligible for the additional Pell Grant funds, the student must meet all general eligibility requirements to receive financial aid for the payment period and must be enrolled at least half time (six (6) credits) in the payment period. Eligible students may receive up to three Pell disbursements (150%) in one academic year.

Pell Grant recipients may take advantage of this new regulation to earn their degree faster.  Students should consult with their academic advisor to develop a manageable course load for the shorter summer term.  Students are not required to take 12 credits during summer.

Important Note:  The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by a federal law to 600 percent.  If a student's lifetime eligibility used (LEU) equals or exceeds 600 percent, the student may no longer receive Pell Grant funding.

Students who meet all Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements and have at least 75% of their lifetime Pell Grant eligibility remaining at the end of fall  semester are eligible for YRP consideration.  The maximum period that students may receive Federal Pell Grant is the equivalent of twelve full-time semesters. One full-time semester of Pell equals 50%.

How do I know if I have at least 75% lifetime eligibility remaining?

You can check for your remaining eligibility level online using your FSA ID, and view your Lifetime Eligibility Units (LEU) on the Financial Aid Review page.

When will I know if I am eligible for Year-Round Pell?

Oakland Community College financial aid office will start processing summer applications in March. The available amount will be calculated based on your Pell Grant eligibility and remaining Pell.

How much will I receive in Year-Round Pell?

Your award amount is based on your enrollment level. You must be enrolled at least for at least six credits with zero remaining Pell to be awarded under the YRP provisions. Enrollment levels are defined in the following manner: 9, 10, or 11 credits = 75% of the semester Pell grant amount; 6, 7 or 8 credits = 50% of the semester Pell Grant amount.

Is there a minimum number of credits that I must enroll for in the summer?

Students must register for at least six credits during the summer semester if they have exhausted their full Pell Grant during fall/winter and have zero balance.

Do I have to register for all the classes during the first summer session?

You must register for classes for both summer sessions at the same time. Your Pell Grant amount will be determined based on the combined credit hours during both summer sessions.

Will my Pell Grant be reduced if I complete the first summer session classes and then drop, withdraw, or do not successfully complete the second summer session?

It is possible that you could owe money back to OCC for all or part of your Federal Pell Grant if you do not successfully complete classes that you registered for in the second summer session, even if you successfully complete classes in the first summer session.

To receive a Summer Pell Grant, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must complete the FAFSA for the current academic year.
  • You must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress to receive financial aid.
  • You must qualify for a Federal Pell Grant.
  • You must complete an OCC Summer Financial Aid Application.
  • You must maintain enrollment in at least one class for the summer term if you did not exhaust your PELL eligibility in fall/winter or be enrolled half time (½) otherwise in order to receive PELL.

A student with a Zero Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is eligible for $5920 in Pell grant for the year or $2960 for the fall semester and $2960 for the winter semester. Under the YRP program, this student could receive an additional $2960 for the summer semester if they enroll full-time (12 credits) or a maximum of $8880 for the entire academic year.

If the student is half-time (six credits) summer semester, the student receives a $1480 Federal Pell Grant, or one-half of a full disbursement.

Note: Pell Grants are available for summer if you meet all eligibility requirements and you have not used your full Pell Grant award during the fall/winter. If you have unused Pell, you must be enrolled for at least one credit to receive Pell for summer.

Please review the following examples to help with determining eligibility for an additional Pell Grant award.

Scenario 1 Fall  Winter  Summer 
Enrollment 12 hours 12 hours 6 hours
Pell award $2,960 (50%) $2,960 (50%) $1,480 (25%) YRP
Scenario 2 Fall  Winter  Summer 
Enrollment 12 hours 12 hours 3 hours
Pell award $2,960 (50%) $2,960 (50%) $0 (0%)
Scenario 3 Fall  Winter  Summer 
Enrollment 12 hours 12 hours 12 hours
Pell award $2,960 (50%) $2,960 (50%) $2,960 (50%) YRP
Scenario 4 Fall  Winter  Summer 
Enrollment 12 hours 9 hours 6 hours
Pell award $2,960 (50%) $2,220 (34.5%) $1,480 (25%)
initial and YRP combination
Scenario 5 Fall  Winter  Summer 
Enrollment 9 hours 9 hours 6 hours
Pell award $2,220 (37.5%) $2,220 (37.5%) $1,480 (25%)
initial