Federal Grants

Federal Pell Grant Recalculation Date (PRD)

The Pell Recalculation Date (sometimes referred to as the census date) is a date in the semester when the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office is required to evaluate a student’s Federal Pell Grant eligibility based on their current enrollment status. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office has a single PRD, which is the last date of the university add/drop period (the end of week two of the payment period), after which no Federal Pell Grant recalculations occur due to enrollment status adjustments made by the student.

Any enrollment changes recorded after the PRD for these students will not translate into any changes to their already awarded Federal Pell Grant. Students can still see changes to other types of aid in their awards (MAP, Merit, Direct Loans, etc.).

Pell eligibility may still be recalculated by the institution if required due to an EFC change, or non-attendance

Students Who Are Packaged After the PRD

Federal Pell Grant recipients who are packaged after the PRD would be awarded based on actual enrollment hours at the time of packaging. Some things to consider:

• All withdrawn courses (grade of W) would not be counted towards Federal Pell Grant eligibility
• All courses that resulted in a failing grade (F) must verify student’s attendance prior to factoring it towards Pell eligibility
• All audit courses would not be counted
• If the student was initially packaged prior to the PRD but the award was later cancelled, this would be considered as a “reinstatement” of award. The reinstated award would take precedence over the recalculation.
• For students who are appealing their SAP status for Title IV eligibility, any previously established award will also take precedence over a recalculated one. If the student was never packaged, then only actual enrollment would be considered.

Calculating the Number of Years You Can Receive a Pell Grant

You may receive a Pell Grant for the equivalent of six years. If you are near or over the limit, we encourage you to meet with an academic advisor and set up a course plan for graduation. It is important to take the lifetime limit of the Pell Grant into consideration when changing majors and/or scheduling classes. Plan your degree progress carefully to graduate in a timely manner.

• Not need-based, but you must apply by completing the FAFSA.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Available to undergraduate juniors and seniors and graduate students. Students-at-large and post-baccalaureate students are not eligible.
• Awards are $4,000 each year, prorated for students enrolled less than full-time.
• You must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 to be eligible and maintain a 3.25 GPA through the academic program.
• You must complete TEACH Grant counseling and sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay. Grant recipients agree to teach for at least four years within eight years of finishing their teacher preparation program and to teach high-need subjects in designated schools that serve low-income students.
• You must complete a Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program form each year and enroll in a teacher education certificate program in one of the following areas:
  • Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition
  • Foreign Language
  • Mathematics
  • Reading Specialist
  • Science
  • Special Education

Eligible students will be notified through their NIU Z-ID e-mail address.