Since Spring Semester has begun, BYU-Hawaii advisors and counselors recommended eligible students should apply for the new Spring Pell Grant and stay focused on getting their education done in a timely manner. A freshman, Hannah Kelly, who has not experienced Spring Semester, said the shorter semester with the Pell Grant will allow her to not spend as much money on tuition and housing.
Tammie Fonoimoana, Financial Aid supervisor for Federal Aid and Scholarships for BYUH said, “Student’s eligible for Pell Grants under the Federal Aid Program, may also be eligible for a Pell Grant in Spring Semester.” She explained in the past, Pell Grants were awarded for only two semesters within an academic year. Starting Spring 2018, the federal government has made Pell Grants available for a third semester within the academic year.
Eddy Tsing, the scholarship counselor, added, “There are fewer students who knew about the additional Pell for Spring, and they thought they had to do another FAFSA online. But the FAFSA you did for 2017-2018 is the same and works for Fall, Winter, and Spring.”
As for Kelly, a freshman from California majoring in biomedicine, she said she already knew Pell Grants were offered. She explained, “That’s why I filled out my FAFSA information. I’m utilizing the opportunity of the new Pell Grant opportunity.”
Tsing said, “When it comes to scholarships [for Spring], the same opportunities are still available. The merit scholarships still work. It’s the same process. Students need to be enrolled in at least nine credits. Students can apply for departmental scholarships and private donor scholarships, through the academic departments.”
Tsing continued, “External scholarships have different requirements (usually a 12-credit minimum), and enrollment for Spring is eight.”
Kelly, who planned to move off campus while taking the minimum required credits for Spring Semester, said, “I think Spring will be easier to pay for because it’s shorter.”
Likewise, the Spring Pell Grant has further requirements to qualify. Fonoimoana said, “The Pell Grant is based on a 12-credit enrollment. Since Spring is a term and students will only be enrolled in 8-9 credits, the grant will be reduced to those credits, and students will still be able to utilize it this Spring.” She said the amount students can receive is solely based on the amount of credits they enroll in.
“The institutional scholarships have always been around for the Spring Semester,” Tsing said to clear up any confusion. He added, “I think the confusion is we went with a new academic calendar, so this is the first time we’re doing it as a shorter semester. But on campus, scholarships have always been around for Spring.”
Tsing added, “International students have access to the same scholarships. They have access to departmental scholarships and merit scholarships. They also have access to donor scholarships, but they need to work through the department scholarships. Students on the I-WORK Program have access to those same opportunities.”
Kelly said, “I know there is financial aid for I-WORK students and for current students who apply for it. There are also scholarships you can apply for.” With that, Kelly also mentioned the ability for students to take out loans and grants.
Fonoimoana said, “Stafford Loans are also available for eligible students to borrow money from the federal government. It is our practice at Financial Aid to counsel students to look for 'free' money before taking out loans with the ultimate goal to have our students graduate with as little debt as possible.”
Adding a few opportunities on gaining financial aid for Spring Semester, Tsing said students who participate in club presidencies receive money. He explained, “They have to be part of a club presidency to get the presidency-based scholarships.”
Fonoimoana added, “Students may not be able to earn as much money during the Spring term because it is shorter. But if they work and save during the summer break, they may be able to earn enough to help cover some of charges for their next semester.”
When asked if students would benefit by attending Spring Semester, Fonoimoana said it would be less expensive than a full semester and the student would be able to graduate earlier.
Fonoimoana said Financial Aid offers all types of financial counseling for our students. In addition to the typical financial aid counseling, she said, they also do budget counseling.
She advised students to practice what church leaders encourage about living within your means, creating a budget, and being self-reliant.
“Also, parents are a good resource for budgeting techniques. Students may not want to talk to their parents about finances, but they are an excellent resource as they have been practicing financing a long time," Fonoimoana said. "If parents are not available, students can also meet with a Financial Aid Counselor who would be more than happy to meet with and help students initiate a financial plan for school.”
Despite the financial needs for Spring, Kelly said with a smile on her face, “I’m excited for Spring because I’ll have more free time, and I’m really ready for better weather.”
Writer: Hannah Jones