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.


The amount disbursed is determined based off the number of eligible units enrolled (enrollment intensity) 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.

Credit Hours Enrollment Intensity (Semester)
12 (or more) 100%
11.5 96%
11 92%
10.5 88%
10 83%
9.5 79%
9 75%
8.5 71%
8 67%
7.5 63%
7 58%
6.5 54%
6 50%
5.5 46%
5 42%
4.5 38%
4 33%
3.5 29%
3 25%
2.5 21%
2 17%
1.5 13%
1 8%
0.5 4%
Disbursement Notes: Depending on your SAI you may be required to be enrolled in a certain amount of eligible units (enrollment intensity) in order to receive a Pell Grant disbursement. 

2023-2024 Summer Disbursement & Year-round Pell Grant

Did you know you can receive Pell Grant during the summer semester. The Financial Aid Office will generally post summer awards on your mycerritos account during April & May for the upcoming summer session. Not all students are eligible for a summer disbursement, it is always a great idea to check in with the Financial Aid Office to see if you are eligible for a summer disbursement.

Two Ways to Qualify for a Summer Disbursement

Students will receive the difference in their Pell Grant disbursement up to 100% of their annual award for their summer disbursement.

Examples
Fall - Annual Percent Used Spring - Annual Percent Used Summer - Annual Percent Used Total Percent Used
Half Time = 25% Half Time = 25% Half Time = 25% 75%
Three Quarter Time = 37.5% Half Time = 25% Quarter Time = 12.5% 100%
Full Time = 50% Half Time = 25% Half Time = 25% 100%

Students are now allowed to receive up to 150% of their Pell Grant per year. They may be required to be enrolled in at least 6 units or more depending on their (2023-2024 EFC) or (2024-2025 SAI). Also, it depends on how much of your percent is used during the Fall and Spring semesters.

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%

Important disbursement informaTion 

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.