BY Vicky Brito
For the first time since 2011, eligible students at UTRGV and across the county will be able to obtain federal Pell grants for the summer semester.
“The main goal right now is to inform students that there will be Pell grants available this summer,” said Jael Garcia, associate director of financial aid opportunities and community liaison. “This availability will help our students accelerate their degree completion.”
UTRGV currently has about 16,000 students eligible for Pell grants.
To be eligible for this funding, a student has to enroll in at least six credit hours for Summer I and Summer II. The amount awarded varies based on need and amount needed for enrollment of the individual student.
The year-round funding is a national availability for FAFSA-eligible students.
“This is a great opportunity for our students to take additional courses and potentially graduate earlier,” said Dr. Magdalena Hinojosa, UTRGV vice president for strategic enrollment.
“This is also a chance to meet program enrollment requirements and/or increase grade point averages with minimal to no cost for our Pell grant recipients,” she said.
ABOUT THE PELL GRANT PROGRAM
The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Students may use their grants at any one of approximately 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions. Grant amounts are dependent on: the student’s expected family contribution, the cost of attendance, the student’s enrollment status and whether the student attends for a full academic year or less.
