I am new to Financial Aid. What is a PELL Grant?
A PELL Grant is a grant
from the federal government. PELL Grants are not loans and do not have
to be paid back unless the student reduces his/her course load, never
attends class, quits attending class or withdraws from school prior
to the completion of the semester.
At Vernon College (VC),
PELL Grants are available to undergraduate students pursuing most Certificates
or an Associate's Degree.
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What
forms and documents will I need to apply for the PELL Grant?
Apart
from the information on your income tax return (and possibly your parents'),
the form needed to apply for a PELL Grant is the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
You should also be prepared to provide
VC with copies of various documents, if requested. Some
of these may include: income tax returns from you, your
spouse, and/or your parents, documentation regarding other
untaxed income, such as Social Security and TANF. However, in order to
be awarded a PELL Grant, there are other requirements specific to VC.
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What
other requirements?
In order to be awarded a PELL Grant at VC,
you will need to complete an Admissions Application and
have your High School or G.E.D. transcript, as well as all other college
(or trade school) transcripts, on file at the Registrar's office.
You must also indicate to the Admissions Office that you are seeking a
degree or certificate offered at VC.
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Does the VC Financial Aid Office look at my VC grades and/or transcript?
Yes! Students receiving financial aid must show
satisfactory academic progress.
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Where
can I get a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
It is available on the web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
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How
soon should I apply for the PELL Grant if I want to attend VC
in the Fall?
As soon as you have completed your 2007 income tax return--the
sooner, the better.
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What
if neither I nor my parents will file an income tax return?
Then you
may send in your FAFSA as soon as you wish. (There is a space
for you to indicate that you will not be filing an income tax return.)
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How
often do I have to apply for the PELL Grant?
Just once a year.
The 2008-2009 PELL year will extend from Fall 2008 through
Summer 2009 semesters.
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How
long does it take to get a PELL Grant?
Well, that depends on you. The
sooner you complete your application, the sooner you will know about your
grant. We suggest you apply over the Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
(instead of you mailing your application to the government yourself). It's
easier for you and usually cuts your waiting time by several weeks.
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Waiting
time? What am I waiting for?
You're waiting for a Student
Aid Report. That's what the government sends to you and VC once you have submitted
your application. The Student Aid Report (SAR)
lets us know if you may be eligible to receive a PELL Grant. On the SAR is
an EFC number. The EFC, or Expected Family Contribution is what the federal
government has determined you can contribute to your own education. Your
award will be based on this EFC number.
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So,
now that I have my SAR with my EFC on it, now can I get my PELL Grant?
Well, not just yet. At this point there are some other forms to fill out,
specific to VC. You may also be requested to supply us
with copies of other documents. The whole
process could take quite a bit of time, so, the sooner you start, the sooner
you may receive a PELL Grant.
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What if I forgot to list VC as one of
the institutions to receive my SAR, or I need to change my address on
my SAR?
You may make these changes or check on the status of your SAR over the
Internet at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or you may
call 1-800-433-3243. VC must be listed in the school section.
Our school code is 010060.
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Wait
a minute--how many hours do I have to take to get a PELL Grant?
You
must be enrolled at least less-than-half-time to receive a PELL Grant. Please note
that not all students who qualify for a full-time Pell Grant will be eligible at less than
full-time enrollment.
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What is full-time enrollment?
Any student who is enrolled in 12 or more hours in a semester is
considered a full-time student.
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That sounds like a lot of work -- is it really worth it?
Definitely.
We are here to help you in any way we can. So, apply early
and don't hesitate to call us for any help you need!
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One
more question--I am transferring from another college and I have a PELL
Grant. Will my PELL Grant transfer, too?
If you are eligible for a
PELL Grant at another institution, chances are that you will be eligible
for a PELL Grant at VC. However,
you must submit a Student Aid Report to VC, as well as
the other paperwork required to process a PELL Grant at VC.
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Where
do I call if I have more questions?
For questions concerning Veteran's Benefits, please
call Debbie Alexander at (940) 696-8752 ext. 3203. For any other questions concerning
Financial Aid, please call the Financial Aid office in Vernon at (940) 552-6291 ext. 2206
or in Wichita Falls at (940) 696-8752 ext. 3203.
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When
is the Financial Aid office open?
Regular office hours are: 8:00 a.m.--5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m.--12:00 p.m., Friday.
Summer hours are 7:45 a.m.--5:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday and closed Friday.
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What
is your address?
Our address is:
Vernon College
4400 College Drive
Vernon, Texas 76384
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