Pell Grants are safe for Stonehill students, at least for now

By Kelsey Barber

Pell Grants appear to be safe for Stonehill students, at least for now, amidst federal cutbacks.

Federal Pell Grants are grants that help undergraduate students pay for their college tuition.

“When the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo to temporarily pause federal funding earlier this year, there was confusion among people across the country about whether Federal Pell Grants were included,” said William Smith, assistant vice president of student financial assistance.

This pause from the OMB could have affected millions of families who were all applying under that same loan.

“If a student meets the qualifications and applies through the Free Application for Financial Assistance (FAFSA), they will receive a grant for their educational expenses,” said Smith.

“No Stonehill student as of right now has lost eligibility due to the government takebacks or frozen funding,” said Smith.

If the government starts pushing back the Pell Grants, families will not be able to receive loans and grants, which may affect students’ eligibility to attend college and their future decisions.

“We have not received any inquiries about loss of federal funding or federal grants from any Stonehill families,” said Smith.

“The Department of Education issued guidance, noting that the pause would not impact Title IV funds or Higher Education Act Funds, which include Federal Pell Grants,” he said.

Having a potential decrease in Pell Grants is putting students in a dangerous and scary spot.

“Approximately 15% of Stonehill undergraduate students are eligible for Federal Pell Grants,” said Smith.