Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is a federal grant. The purpose of the Pell Grant is to help the undergraduate students pay for their college education up to their first bachelor's degree.
How to Apply
Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid - FAFSA
Important! Follow the 4 steps to cash to apply
What happens next?
- The Financial Aid Department will determine what you qualify for based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and issue you a Financial Aid Award.
- Once your first class has started your Pell Grant will get released based off the disbursement schedule as long as you are meeting our SAP Standards.
Disbursement Amounts
The amount disbursed is determined based off the number of eligible units enrolled for each semester which includes Fall, Spring and Summer of each school year. Adjustments will be made for any classes dropped or added up to the Census Date.
| Enrollment Status | Enrolled units | Amount of Annual Award Used |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1/2 time | 0.5 - 5.5 | 12.5% |
| 1/2 time | 6 - 8.5 | 25% |
| 3/4 time | 9 - 11.5 | 37.5% |
| Full Time | 12 or more | 50% |
Disbursement Notes: Depending on your EFC you maybe required to be enrolled in a certain amount of eligible units in order to receive a Pell Grant disbursement.
Summer Disbursements and Year-round Pell Grant
Students will receive the difference in their Pell Grant disbursement up to 100% of their annual award for their summer disbursement.
Year-Round Pell Grant
Students are now allowed to receive up to 150% of their Pell Grant per year. They maybe required to be in at least 6 units or more depending on their EFC. Also, it depends on how much of your percent is used during the Fall and Spring semester.
Examples
| Fall - Annual Percent Used | Spring - Annual Percent Used | Summer - Annual Percent Used | Total Percent Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Time = 50% | Full Time = 50% | Full Time = 50% | 150% |
| Full Time = 50% | Full Time = 50% | Half Time = 25% | 125% |
| Full Time = 50% | Full Time = 50% | Less than Half Time - Not eligible for disbursement | 100% |
| Half Time = 25% | Half Time = 25% | Half Time = 25% | 75% |
Important disbursement informaion
Remedial Courses
The Financial Aid Office will only pay for up to 30 units of remedial classes.
Course Repeats
Students may only receive federal financial aid funding for one repetition of a previously passed course (A, B, C, D, P). Exclusions apply please see the financial aid office for details.
Be Aware of Lifetime Pell Grant Limits or Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU)
For further information please contact the Financial Aid office at (562) 860-2451 Ext. 2397 or e-mail us at finaid@cerritos.edu.
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