Students who receive state university grants will now be able to receive grants during the summer if they enroll in more than six units. Previously, six units was the maximum.
Students will no longer be eligible for these summer grants if completing fewer than six units, however.
Full-time students who receive Pell Grants during the fall and spring semester will now be able to receive Pell Grants for summer 2010, as long as they register for and complete at least six units. Previously, Pell Grants were not available to full-time students during the summer.
Part-time students receiving Pell Grants will still be eligible to receive grants for under six units in the summer.
Nicolas Valdivia, director of financial aid, said the move was in part a reaction to changes in the Federal Pell Grant program. He said the federal program now requires full-time students to complete a minimum of six units in order to be eligible.
According to the California State University system, federal financial aid accounts for 70 percent of financial assistance.
Valdivia added that the change will encourage quicker graduation.
“It is part of a concerted effort to facilitate graduation sooner,” he said. Valdivia also said the move will be good for students because they will be “making more progress by taking additional units.”
According to an e-mail sent out by Valdivia, students receiving Pell Grants will be awarded a progressively increased amount depending on the number of units completed.
Students completing six to eight units will receive a $1,337 grant. Students completing 12 units will receive a $2,675 grant.
According to The New York Times, the maximum Federal Pell Grant is set to rise to $5,500 in the 2010-11 school year.
On the other hand, the state university grants offer a blanket grant regardless of units taken. Students taking six to 12 units will receive $1,050.
