Summer Pell Policy and Procedures Effective February 2010

Policy

Beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year students are eligible for up to 2 scheduled awards (200%) per year of Pell grants. For the summer of 2010, HCC will pay Pell grant out of the 2009-2010 year (as a "trailer") during the transition period for the new Pell grant awards. If students use their first scheduled award and they enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours they can be eligible for a 2nd scheduled award. For the summer 2010 only, no consideration will be given to 2010-11 student eligibility during the cross-over payment period and no consideration will be given to academic progression requirements.

For the summer of 2011, HCC will consider the term to be a "cross-over" payment period and will pay Pell grant out of the 2010-2011 or 2011-2012 year, whichever award year provides the student with the most Pell grant eligibility. Students must have a valid ISIR on file for the year used to determine Pell grant eligibility. If students use their first scheduled award and they enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours they can be eligible for a 2nd scheduled award. Student must have one hour which would go into their second year. For example, HCC defines its year as 24 credit hours; if the student receives a fulltime award in fall 2010 and spring 2011 and enrolls in 6 hours or more in summer they would receive Pell grant for the summer payment period from the 2010-11 or the 2011-12 award year based on whichever will provide the largest Scheduled Award, providing they are otherwise eligible. Pell grants for a payment period may be combined using the first and second scheduled awards if the student is eligible. For the summer 2011, students will also need to meet applicable academic progression requirement for a 2010-2011 award or they may be eligible for a first scheduled award from the 2011-2012 year.

For the summer terms in all subsequent years after 2011, the rules applied in summer 2011 will be applied using the correct aid years as determined by federal regulations.

Transfer Students for 2 scheduled Pell Awards beginning 2010-2011:

·         HCC will use the assumption method to determine acceleration toward the second Scheduled Pell Award.

·         If student received 100% of the first Scheduled Pell Award at prior school(s), we will assume the student completed the first academic year.

·         If student received less than 100% we will use the same ratio to HCC's academic year as the % of the Scheduled Award that was received from the other school(s) and round down.

Example:

Assume student completed the same ratio of the academic year as the % of Pell received

·       Prior school disbursed $2,007 of $5,350 Scheduled Award at that school.

·    HCC's academic year is defined as 24 credit hours

·    $2,007 X 24/$5,350 = 9 credits assumed earned at prior school

·    Student is given 9 credits toward completion of the first academic year.

Special Circumstances for Academic Year Completion Requirement for Second Scheduled Award:

·         Can be waived

·         FAA determines that student was unable to complete the hours of the first academic year due to "circumstances beyond the student's control."

May include but are not limited to:

·         Student withdrawing from classes due to a verifiable illness.

·         Student being unable to register for classes necessary to complete his or her eligible program because classes were not offered.

Special circumstances beyond a student's control does not include:

·         Withdrawing to avoid a particular grade.

·         Failing to register for necessary class that is offered during the term to avoid a particular instructor.

·         Classes are full and student is unable to register.

Determination must be documented and made on a student by student basis.

Procedures

The HCC Financial Aid office will determine your eligibility for Pell grant for the summer term automatically. There is nothing you need to do; just check your WebAdvisor account before the tuition due date in May to confirm your eligibility.  If you have any questions about your requirements, please check with the Financial Aid office.