Pell-grant eligible students enrolled full-time for the fall and spring semesters may be eligible to receive Pell grant funds for summer sessions as well.According to a University press release, Pell grant recipients enrolled full-time in fall and spring semesters received all of their scheduled awards at once before the 2009-2010 award year, leaving no additional financial aid for summer sessions.

Garrett Clement, associate director of financial aid, said some of the contingencies have been lifted for the summer, allowing students to get an additional 50 percent of the total award for the summer sessions.

This year, the maximum award a student could receive, $5,350, was divided into two parts-50 percent for the fall semester and 50 percent for the spring semester-if the student was attending the University full time, Clement said.

This summer, students may qualify for up to an additional $2,675 if attending full-time. If a student is attending summer sessions less than full-time, they may still be able to receive some Pell grant money.

The availability of these extra funds in the summer will allow students to complete their degrees in a shorter amount of time, as stated in the press release.

“We have sent emails to all students who are presently receiving Pell grant funds, in order to clarify the availability of Pell grants in the summer,” said Clement. He said he feels the availability of these funds will lead to an increase in summer enrollment.

Students interested in attending any of the summer sessions at the University are encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to the Office of Financial Aid by June 30. Title IV aid should be turned in at this time also. Forms can be obtained by visiting www.nicholls.edu/finaid/forms or by calling (985) 448-4048.