Federal Pell Grant
As eligible institutions of higher education, all Orange County Public Schools campuses participate in the Federal Pell Grant program. To be a recipient, a student must meet the Federal Pell Grant program’s criteria for student eligibility and be enrolled in an approved program that is at least 600 clock hours of supervised training. Eligibility is determined by the Federal Government. Pell recipients can only receive Pell for no more than the length of the program as approved by the Accrediting Commission of the Council on Occupational Education with a maximum of 900 clock hours in an academic year. The Federal Pell Grant requires no repayment of funds that are properly distributed by the school. If the student does not meet the required 60% of attended clock hours per payment period, then the school is required to process a Return of Title IV Funds calculation. If there are any outstanding fees owed to the school or Federal Government, the student will be responsible for paying those outstanding fees. Online/hybrid programs are not eligible for Pell funding. Only classroom instructional clock hours will be eligible for Pell funding. Year Round Pell Grants begin with the 2017-2018 award year.
Criteria for receiving the Federal Pell Grant are:
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA form)
- Demonstrate financial need
- Enroll in a career certificate program (minimum 600 clock hours)
- Register with the Selective Service (if required)
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen of the U.S. with a valid Social Security number
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Be working toward a career certificate, and
- Not be in default of a federal education student loan or owe federal funds.
NOTE: If the student does not meet the required 60% of attended clock hours per payment period, then the school is required to process a Return of Title IV Funds calculation. If there are any outstanding fees owed to the school or Federal Government, the student will be responsible for paying those outstanding fees.
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