Grants
Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is considered gift-aid that does not have to be repaid. The Pell Grant award is based upon the student's EFC and enrollment status. The Pell Grant award is based solely on financial need. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be repaid unless, for example, the student is awarded funds incorrectly or the student withdraws from school. The amount the student receives depends on his/her financial need, cost of attendance and enrollment status. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students – those who haven't earned a bachelor's or graduate degree. Amounts can change yearly. In order to determine a student's eligibility; the student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list BPCC as a school; the school must receive a valid Student Aid Report (SAR) or Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR), generated by the FAFSA submission, while the student is enrolled and eligible. To be valid, the SAR/ISIR must contain the following:
- A Pell-eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC);
- All information used in the calculation of the EFC complete and accurate at the time the application was signed;
- Accurate information, subject to updating, at the time the SAR/ISIR (not selected for verification) is submitted to BPCC; and
- Accurate information as of the time of verification; at the time the SAR/ISIR (selected for verification) is submitted to BPCC.
New Pell Grant Policies for the 2012-2013 Award Year:
Eligibility Limit and Disbursement
Student who receive their first Pell Grant on or after July 1, 2008 may receive Pell Grants for as many as 12 semesters (or the equivalent)
Maximum Award
Eligibility for Pell grants has been restricted to 12 semesters of full-time enrollment, or the equivalent for part-time students. If you have been a full-time student and have received Pell grants for 12 semesters, you cannot receive another Pell grant. Pell eligibility is pro-rated for part-time attendance. This affects current and future students. » More information about Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used
Please note: If you receive Pell grant for two full-time semesters in an award year (fall and spring), you will have NO eligibility left for the summer semester.
Go Grant
The Go Grant is state grant that does not have to be repaid. Eligibility criteria may be found at the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance website www.losfa.state.la.us.
Funding is limited. Eligible students will receive the following award amounts per year:
- Full-time (at least 12 credit hours)- $1,000 ($500 per semester)
- Half-time (6-11 credit hours) - $500 ($250 per semester)
- Less-Than-Half-Time (1-5 credit hours) $250 ($125 per semester)