*Pell Grant awards are based on the following: Expected Family Contribution (*EFC), the Cost of Attendance, the student’s enrollment status (number of credit hours enrolled); and the remaining Pell Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU). The Pell Grant cannot be received by two institutions during the same semester. Funds will be required to be paid back to one of the institutions if this occurs.

*The 2425 FAFSA will go by the SAI (Student Aid Index) instead of the EFC (Expected Family Contribution).

*The Pell Grant may disburse differently for 2425 based on federally-mandated changes to the 2425 FAFSA.  More information to come.

The amount of Pell Grant funds that are disbursed is determined by your EFC and your enrollment status (the Pell Grant offer you are allowed is split in half between two semesters and decreases in increments based on your enrollment status):

• If you’re registered for 12 or more credit hours, you will receive 100% of Pell Grant funds allowed for the semester.
• If you’re registered for 9-11 credit hours, you will receive 75% (3/4) of Pell Grant funds allowed for the semester.
• If you’re registered for 6-8 credit hours, you will receive 50% (1/2) of Pell Grant funds allowed for the semester.
• If you’re registered for 1-5 credit hours, you will receive 25% (1/4) of Pell Grant funds allowed for the semester.

GHC offers courses that are 2 credit hours, 3 credit hours, and 4 credit hours. Aid is based on credit hours, not the number of classes you are taking, so be aware of how many credit hours you are registered for and not just the number of classes.

PELL GRANT DISBURSEMENTS-IMPORTANT!

Please be aware that you may NOT be eligible for Pell Grant funds if you add additional classes in the semester after you’ve already received Pell Grant funding:

1.Student not registered for any classes, no Pell Grant funds disbursed and then adds one or more late start classes:

• • Eligible for Pell Grant funds

2.Schedule got deleted through no fault of the student and then student is added back to the exact same classes:

• • Possibly eligible for Pell Grant funds depending on the situation

3.Student already started classes, Pell Grant funds disbursed and then adds one or more late start classes:

• • Not eligible for any additional Pell Grant funds

4.Student schedule got deleted (Pell Grant funds disbursed) and then student is added back to different classes (example: exact same schedule is added back except for one class is different, etc):

• • Not eligible for Pell Grant funds for the class that is different

5.Student registers for classes where they have a “part one” class and then a “part two” (example: English 1101-1^st 10 weeks and then English 1102 2^nd 10 weeks). Then it is found student is not eligible to take English 1101:

• • Both classes deleted, and Pell Grant funds will be removed for both classes

-The above scenarios only apply to students who receive Pell Grant funds.

-Students can still receive federal loan funds, the HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship, and GHC Institutional Scholarships if eligible so the above rules do not apply for these funds-only Pell Grant.

-There could also be additional scenarios not listed above so students should make a ticket to finaid@highlands.edu with any questions or concerns about adding classes and Pell Grant funding eligibility.

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. FSEOG does not have to be paid back. These funds are awarded to Pell Grant recipients with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (*EFC) . Because FSEOG funds are limited, it is vital that you complete your FAFSA as soon as possible. FSEOG requires you to be a Pell Grant recipient. FSEOG awards are not guaranteed to all students. GHC has a limited allotment of federal funds and limits the number of students who are awarded.

*The 2425 FAFSA will go by the SAI (Student Aid Index) instead of the EFC (Expected Family Contribution).