Hi, I have a quick question about receiving a full-ride merit-based Federal scholarship and the Federal Pell Grant.
Specifically, I received a merit-based scholarship from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that exceeds my university's Cost of Attendance (basically, the NSF scholarship covers full tuition and also provides a stipend for cost of living, books, etc.). If needed, more information is available about my NSF scholarship, the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service, here: https://www.sfs.opm.gov/StudFAQ.aspx . I also completed the FAFSA and, even with including my National Science Foundation scholarship on the FAFSA, I still have an EFC of 00000 meaning I qualify for the maximum Pell Grant.
So, this brings me to my question. I was awarded the Pell Grant in my financial aid package but my university removed it after adding my National Science Foundation scholarship to my financial aid package. The reason my Pell Grant was removed was because, according to my university's financial aid office, a student cannot receive Federal financial aid over the university's Cost of Attendance, period.
I definitely understand that need-based Federal aid, except the Pell Grant, cannot exceed a student's Cost of Attendance but I am not aware that Federal merit aid is bound by that same restriction unless specifically stated for that student aid program. For instance, I notice that other Federal student aid programs, whether merit or need-based, have rules that you cannot also receive the Pell Grant or other Federal student aid...here is an example from the Federal SMART Scholarship: "SMART Scholarship Program Participants do not accept funding from federal scholarships, fellowships, grants (including the Federal Pell Grant) or other federal funding sources". However, from what I can tell, the National Science Foundation scholarship I am receiving has no restrictions on receiving the Federal Pell Grant. In fact, the reasoning "a student cannot receive Federal financial aid over the university's Cost of Attendance" makes no sense to me because already my National Science Foundation scholarship exceeds the university's Cost of Attendance but the dollar amounts for the scholarship are set by the National Science Foundation and cannot be reduced by the university.
In conclusion, my understanding is that I do in fact qualify for both my NSF merit-based Federal scholarship as well as the need-based Federal Pell Grant. I do not, however, qualify for other FSA like the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) because my current aid package exceeds the university's Cost of Attendance.
If someone can help me with explaining this to my university's financial aid office or help me understand where my information is incorrect, I'd seriously appreciate it. Thanks so much for any insight and if anyone needs anymore information, please just let me know. Thanks again!!!!!
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