Welcome to Financial Aid

Beginning with the 2026-2027 award year:

Federal Pell Grant Eligibility Updates

Your Student Aid Index (SAI) and other financial aid you receive can affect your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant.

You may not qualify for a Pell Grant if:

Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is too high.

• Students with an SAI equal to or greater than twice the maximum Pell Grant amount for the award year are not eligible for Pell Grant funding, even if they meet other Pell requirements.

Example: If the maximum Pell Grant for 2026-2027 is $7,395, students with an SAI of $14,790 or higher will not be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

You are already receiving enough non-federal aid to cover your full Cost of Attendance.

• If your state, college, or private scholarships/grants equal your full Cost of Attendance (COA), you will not be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

You reported foreign earned income exclusion on your FAFSA. 

• If applicable, the foreign earned income exclusion reported on your FAFSA will be added back to your income when determining Pell Grant eligibility, which may affect your award.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 award year:

Annual Loan Amount Proration for Less than Full-Time Enrollment: Students enrolled less than full-time must have their annual loan limit reduced proportionally.

Student Loan Repayment Options: Repayment options will be streamlined into two plans: a new tiered standard repayment plan and a new income-driven repayment plan called the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).

• GCC recommends that borrowers contact their loan servicer or review information available from the Department of Education concerning Federal Loan Repayment Options.

To receive federal student loans, you must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours.

Your loan amount is also based on how many credits you take:

• Full-time students (12 or more credits per semester) may qualify for the full annual loan amount.

• Part-time students (6-11 credits per semester) may qualify for a reduced loan amount based on their enrollment.

Example: Full-Time Enrollment (12 credits each semester)

If you are a first-year student enrolled in 12 credits in fall and 12 credits in spring, you may qualify for the full $3,500 subsidized loan for the year:

• $1,750 for fall

• $1,750 for spring

Example: Part-Time Enrollment (6 credits each semester)

If you are a first-year student enrolled in 6 credits in fall and 6 credits in spring, you may qualify for half of the annual loan amount, or $1,750 total:

• $875 for fall

• $875 for spring

Important:

If you request additional unsubsidized loan funds, those amounts may also be reduced based on your enrollment level.

Important Reminder About Dropping Classes

Your loan eligibility is based on your actual enrollment each semester. If you drop a class or reduce your credits, your loan amount may be adjusted.

For example, if you receive a loan based on full-time enrollment but later drop below your original credit level in the fall semester, your spring loan amount may also be reduced to match your updated enrollment.

Dropping classes may also affect your financial aid eligibility and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Please contact the Financial Aid Office before making changes to your schedule.

Plan ahead: Review your borrowing needs.

Budget carefully: Consider updated Loan limits when planning for future semesters.

Stay informed: Watch for official updates from the U.S. Department of Education.

For official updates, visit One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates.