Federal Pell Grant Information
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for Pell Grant funding. Federal Pell Grant funds provide a foundation of financial aid to which other sources of aid may be added. The amount of Pell Grant funding is based on a family’s financial circumstances as determined by the Department of Education. Federal Pell Grants provide funding to low-income undergraduates with the greatest demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The maximum award is currently $7,395.00 per year. All awards are based on financial need, enrollment status, program of study, and attendance. Pell Grants will not pay for courses not required by the program of study/major.
We encourage all students to apply early. For assistance completing the FAFSA application, please review the Important Dates page for available Help Session dates.
The U.S. Department of Education has a Lifetime Eligibility requirement stating that a student may only receive Pell Grant for a total of 12 full-time semesters. This includes all early years of receipt and applies to all students.
Funds will apply to the student’s account only after all required financial aid and admissions documents are received, reviewed, and approved by the Office of Financial Aid. Pell Grant funds are not disbursed to students until attendance in classes is verified by the instructor through the attendance portal.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is designed to assist students with exceptional unmet need as determined by FAFSA information and cost of attendance at Shelton. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). This fund is limited and varies from year to year. The amount of money we receive determines the number of awards that we offer. Student must be eligible for pell grant and have remaining unmet need, priority is given to students who have a “0” expected family contribution (EFC) number. To be awarded FSEOG funds student must be in good standing with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Federal Work-Study
Students who are selected for the Federal Work-Study program must be eligible for federal financial aid (Pell) and enrolled at least half time (6 hours). The number of hours a student may work per week is determined by the available funding. The pay scale is based on the prevailing federal minimum hourly wage. To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Shelton State Community College Application for Federal Work-Study to determine their eligibility. Priority is given to those applicants who apply early. To be eligible for work-study funds, student must be in good standing with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
State Aid
The Alabama Student Assistance Grant (ASAP) Program is a state student assistance program established August 4, 1978 by the Legislature of the State of Alabama and designed to provide financial assistance to residents of the State of Alabama for non-profit, postsecondary institutions of higher learning located within the state of Alabama. Any recipient must be an Alabama resident and Pell Grant recipient with remaining unmet need. Priority is given to students who have a “0” expected family contribution (EFC) number. To be awarded ASAP funds student must be in good standing with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
POFSEAP (Police Officer’s and Firefighter’s Survivor’s Educational Assistance Program)
POFSEAP is a grant program covering tuition, fees, books, and supplies for dependents and eligible spouses of Alabama police officers and firefighters killed or totally disabled in the line of duty. Awards are available for undergraduate students at public institutions in Alabama.
Eligible students must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester, enrolled in the fall and spring of each award year, and make satisfactory progress as defined by the institution and consistent with the guideline applicable to Title IV at the institution. To determine eligibility for POFSEAP, contact the financial aid office.
Treatment of Title IV Aid When a Student Withdraws
SUMMARY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF 34 CFR 668
Under 34 CFR 668.22, when a student completely withdraws from a payment period or period of enrollment after receiving Title IV aid, the institution must perform a Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation to determine the amount of aid the student earned and the amount, if any, that must be returned. The calculation applies to eligible Title IV grant and loan funds that were disbursed or could have been disbursed for the period. Federal Work-Study is not included in the R2T4 calculation.
A student earns Title IV aid based on the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed as of the withdrawal date. Up to the 60% point, aid is earned on a prorated basis. Once a student completes more than 60% of the period, the student is considered to have earned 100% of the Title IV aid for that period. If the calculation determines that the student received more Title IV aid than earned, the unearned amount must be returned in accordance with the federal return-of-funds requirements. The institution is responsible for returning the lesser of the applicable institutional-charge calculation or the total amount of unearned Title IV aid. Any remaining amount may be the student’s responsibility. Any Title IV grant overpayment that remains the student’s responsibility is subject to the federal 50% grant protection and applicable de minimis provisions. A student is not required to repay a withdrawal-related grant overpayment of $50 or less per grant program.
The R2T4 calculation is separate from the institution’s tuition and fee refund policy. As a result, completion of the R2T4 calculation does not determine whether a student owes a balance to the institution. A student may still be responsible for unpaid institutional charges or amounts the institution was required to return to the Title IV programs. The institution must document the withdrawal date, complete the R2T4 calculation within the regulatory timeframe, and return any funds for which it is responsible within the applicable federal deadline.