Can someone explain to me how the Pell Grant works?

Question

I started attending the University of Phoenix on May 14, 2007. I got a pell disbursement in June of 2007 and one in October of 2007. I assumed that both of these grants were for the 07-08 school year. My friend who started the same time I did, says the first disbursement we got in June of 07 was actually for the 06-07 school year, and the one we got last fall was the first disbursement of the 07-08 school year and that I should get another disbursement for the 07-08 school year before July 1. My finacial advisor for the school never directly answers the question, so I thought maybe someone could help. I completed 24 credit hours on 4-13-08, so that was my first year, right? And I started on my second year on 4-14-2008. I got my stafford loans already for this second year, so I know how much I am getting there. I am just really confused how all this works. Please help!!

Answer 1

Most students only go to school during the spring and fall semesters. But you started right at what looks like the beginning of the summer semester (that's when mine started). You can get the pell grant for 8 semesters of undergrad study, no matter which semester you study in. If you started in may '07 and went through until dec '07, then the disbursements you got were for the summer and the fall. The school year. Now according to FAFSA, the school  year starts in July, so if you received a disbursement in June '07, then yes it was for the 06-07 school year. The one you got in October was for the fall semester, so that's the 07-08 year. The years start in the summer, because fall is when most people start going to school. You should have already gotten your disbursement for the beginning of '08 spring semester. Mine got disbursed in January, and I received the refund in Feb or March. So it sounds like you're friend was right, and I would check with your school to see where the rest of your PELL grant went, unless it all went to your courses.

Answer 2

Hi Dreamweaver, I also go to UOP and I answered one of your math questions and it is the same math I am doing. If you will email me we might be able to do the math work together.

Answer 3

Generally it takes 30 hours to "move up" in classifications:

Freshman = under 30 hours

Soph = 30-60 hours

Juniors =60-90 hours

Seniors = 90 and up

This is why it's important to take at least 15 credit hours a semester... which prob doesn't mean a thing taking classes at UoP because it's not really set up that way.

Answer 4

you gotta slog through the fed gov web site to figure out what disbursement is good for each semester