financial pell grant

Sinte gleska University Financial Aid Director Midas Gunhammer in his office at the Student Services Building on SGU's Antelope Campus

Did you know that Sinte Gleska University has a full time Financial Aid Director, whose job it is to help you find the funds to go to college? 
 
That’s right. His name is Midas Gunhammer, and he’s been doing this since, well, a long time.  I can tell you from experience he is a patient person, who knows all the necessary hoops, and how to jump through them. He is ready to help you through the process, which otherwise might seem scary.
 
The first step is to fill out a FAFSA, which stands for Free Application For Student Aid.  This is the most important document to fill out when you need money for tuition and books in order to attend college.  This FAFSA document will calculate a student’s need for financial aid, and will also determine if the student is eligible for a PELL Grant. A FAFSA also helps in applying for other types of assistance because it establishes the need.
 
Many students here and elsewhere get PELL Grants.  They are an entitlement to you as a US citizen, providing you meet the eligibility guidelines. This will depend on household size, income, and how many household members are currently attending college. (For more about PELL Grants, see box below.)
 
Midas’ office is in the Student Services Building, on the new Lake Campus.  His phone number is 856-8140. Call or stop in to find out more about how SGU can help you get a college education, right here at home.
 
Watch next week’s paper for information about more scholarships available for Sinte Gleska students. 
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PELL Grants
 
PELL is granted to applicants who meet the eligibility standards.  The amount of the grant can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars a year, to $6,000 a year. The amount is determined by criteria stated earlier—income, household size, and number of college students in the household.
 
This money is funded by Congress, is overseen by the Department of Education and managed by the university’s financial aid officer, at Sinte it is Midas Gunhammer.
 
Essentially how PELL works:
Once funding is granted, certain minimum standards must be maintained by the student for the funding to continue.  They must pass 67% of all the classes they take, and must maintain a given GPA (Grade Point Average—which means passing grades.)  Should the student fall short in either of these areas, they will be given a chance to change that during the next semester. All is of this is explained to the student, and Midas will help by making sure you understand the procedure and conditions.  Basically, if a student finishes most of their classes with a C or better, the funding will typically continue until you reach your first four year degree.
 
 
 
 

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