Federal Pell Grant Changes...They put school out of reach

by Chris
(Seattle)

I'm an independent first time school goer who waited till he was 5 years out of his parents home to qualify for aid to finally get a degree. This change means that because I work full time to support myself I will have to take less classes. This means that school will take much longer for me even though I have more than enough time to complete the courses.

It's devastating to feel like I'm being punished for working, I know many other people will get aid, but I planned on this aid at least finishing my first degree. This was totally pulling the rug from under me.

ANSWER:

By waiting, you were able to qualify for aid. Many people would not have done this; that is why the regulation is written so that to be considered financially independent, you must be 25 years old. Cutting back to 12 lifetime awards will also be hurting nontraditional students like you, who need to take longer (and who tend to get less money because of the fewer classes carried) to finish school.