Pell Recalculation Freeze Date Policy

Your Pell Grant is based on the number of units (credits) you're enrolled in. Each semester, we “lock in” your enrollment on a specific Recalculation Freeze Date. This date determines your final Pell Grant amount.

Recalculation Freeze Date

You can find the Recalculation Freeze Date on the Important Dates and Deadlines page.

How Recalculation Works

• Your Pell Grant is recalculated each semester on the published Recalculation Freeze Date.

• Your award is based on your enrollment status (units) on that date.

• If your enrollment changes (you add/drop/withdraw from classes) before the freeze date, your Pell Grant amount may change.

• If you are enrolled in fewer units than you were originally paid for, we may reduce your Pell Grant and recoup the overpayment, meaning you may temporarily owe money.

  • BUT if you later add units before the freeze date and attend late-start classes that increase your enrollment level:
    • You may be eligible to receive additional Pell Grant funds to restore what was recouped.
    • You must attend those classes, not just enroll, for them to count.

• If you’re enrolled in fewer units than when you first received your Pell Grant, your award may be reduced, and you may owe a repayment.

• If you maintain the same number of units, you’re good, no repayment required.

What Happens If You Drop Classes

If you drop or withdraw from classes — or fail to attend a class you’re enrolled in — you may have your Pell Grant reduced and be required to repay some of it.

• You will be considered to have received too much Pell Grant (an overpayment).

• You will be required to repay the difference.

Under our Non-Attendance Policy, students who do not attend a course will be marked as not attending, and units for those classes will be excluded from Pell Grant eligibility.

Frozen Enrollment Isn’t Always Frozen

While the Recalculation Freeze Date “locks in” your Pell Grant eligibility:

• Units for late-start classes only count if you actually attend.

• If you enroll before the freeze date but don’t attend the class when it starts, those units will be removed from your award calculation, and you may owe a repayment.

What About Adding Classes?

Before the Freeze Date

Classes added before the freeze date (even if they start later in the semester) can count toward your Pell Grant.

After the Freeze Date

If you add classes after the freeze date, you will not receive additional Pell Grant disbursements for them.

Need More Info?

• See the Pell Grant Proration Chart to understand how unit levels affect your award.

• Contact the Financial Aid Department if you’re unsure how changes to your schedule could affect your award.