Created: 7/22/2009 9:01:23 PM 
Greensboro, NC -- $5.9 million stimulus dollars are headed for North Carolina A&T State University. Most of the money is earmarked for pell grants.
That's financial aid for low-income students. Financial aid officers expect around 4500 students to get a piece of the pie.
Tyrah Chisholm is one of them. "If it weren't for the pell grants, I wouldn't be able to come here," she says. "My family can't afford to pay for my education."
Student Financial Aid Director Sherri Avent says 300 more students will get pell grant money this year thanks to the stimulus.
"For some students it'll make a large difference," says Avent. "With the economy right now some parents just don't have the funds to help the students."
She expects the average pell grant student to pocket $300 more this year than last year. Students can use it to pay for tuition, fees, and other school-related costs.
Tyrah is taking home around a $1,000 in pell grants. She plans to spend the money on books and housing.
To find out if you qualify for pell grants at your school, contact your financial aid office. You'll need to fill out a financial aid form and return it right away. You want the form to be processed and approved before your tuition bills arrive.
WFMY News 2
