New Federal Rules Affecting Pell Grant and Stafford Loan Eligibility

New federal regulations effective Fall 2012 may affect your Pell Grant eligibility and Subsidized Stafford loan eligibility for Graduate students.

Pell Grant eligibility is now limited to 18 full time quarters or 12 full time semesters. Any Pell Grant you have received prior to 2012/2013 will be counted against your total Pell Grant eligibility. Students who already have been awarded 2012/2013 Pell Grant may lose their eligibility if their 2012/2013 awards exceed 18 full time quarters. For information how your lifetime Pell Grant eligibility is calculated, click here: Calculating Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility.

Graduate students will not be eligible for Subsidized Stafford loans and only be awarded Unsubsidized Stafford loans beginning Fall 2012.

Graduating Undergraduates: As of 2012/2013, if you have fewer than 36 credits remaining in your program and are enrolled less than full time, your Stafford loans will be prorated. See the full policy by clicking here: Stafford Loan Limits for Graduating Undergraduates.