A couple of helpful tid bits of info since I've seen a lot of people with questions.

• The financial aid year begins at the beginning of the Fall semester and ends at the end of summer semester

• The award you are offered is for the entire year and if you accept the full amount it will be given to you in two halves at the beginning of the spring and fall semester.

• Meaning if you plan on taking summer courses there won't be any money left unless you apply for another type of loan (emergency, etc) The Pell grant is the most common federal grant that is based off of your EFC and can vary between almost $0 and $5500 per year.

• Pell grant money is automatically accepted in full BUT it is dependent on how many credit hours you are taking. Whatever is considered full time (12 hours is common) if you take 12 or more hours you receive the full amount. Meaning if you were offered $5500 you would get $2750 each semester.

• 9-11 hours will get you %75 percent or $2062 a semester

• 6-8 hours is %50

• Less than 6 is %25. Some places will not let you have the federal loans if you are not taking more than 6 hours but you will still get the Pell money.

• Lastly the leftover money from the Pell Grant can be used for Summer classes if you do not take a full load in both spring and summer semesters.

  A lot of peoples financial aid offices have horrible counselors who literally just want to get rid of you. It's like the DMV or calling comcast, but be persistent and try to be nice even though its infuriating. Sometimes there is nothing that can be done but a lot of times there is, especially if you need something done quickly.