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The Bulldog - For the SWOSU Family

Pell Grant

Pell Grants are the primary student aid grant program funded by the federal government. More than $7,000,000 in Pell Grant money is paid annually to Southwestern Oklahoma State University students. Awards vary up to $6,195 per year. Pell Grants are the first type of aid we consider for awarding for each student.

How much you may actually receive will depend not only on the maximum as set by Congress each year and your computed Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, but also on whether you are a full or part-time student. Students who enroll in less than full-time hours may receive a prorated Pell Grant award, or in some circumstances may lose Pell eligibility entirely. If enrolling in less than full-time hours, you should speak with a Student Financial Services Counselor about your eligibility.

Pell grants are only awarded and payable to undergraduate students who have not already earned a bachelor's or professional degree. A professional degree would include a degree in a field such as pharmacy. Once a student earns a bachelor's degree they are immediately ineligible for further Pell Grant payments, even if such payments were originally scheduled. Also note, you may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-74) reduced the duration of a student's eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant from 18 semesters (or its equivalent), to 12 semesters (or its equivalent). This change is effective with the 2012-2013 Award Year and applies to all Federal Pell Grant eligible students.

Beginning with the 17-18 award year students may be eligible for 1.5 times their annual scheduled Pell award in an award year. Students who receive the full scheduled award in fall and spring may be eligible to receive up to half of the yearly award for summer school. Students receiving funds from the additional 50 percent of the award must be enrolled halftime or six hours in that term and meet the other eligibility criteria. 

The Pell Grant award you qualify for will be shown on your Award Letter. If eligible, your Pell Grant award will be automatically credited to your student account at the beginning of each semester for which you have been awarded Pell Grant funds.