Recently President Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-74). This law greatly impacts all Pell Grant recipients that will be in effect beginning the 2012-13 aid year. Beginning in Fall 2012, students are now limited to 12 semesters (or 600%) of Pell Grant eligibility during their lifetime. This change affects all students regardless of when or where they received their first Pell Grant. Students that are currently receiving the Pell Grant in the academic year 2011- 2012 and have already used 600% of their Pell Grant eligibility will no longer be eligible to receive a Pell Grant starting Fall 2012.
Students with lower economic statuses have fewer opportunities and longer academic careers in higher education. This Act limits educational rights.