A new federal law that went into effect the first of the month is going to affect some students who wish to go to college.  Late last year, Congress changed the eligibility requirements for student aid as they look to find a way to pay for a growing Pell Grant program while keeping the maximum payout level.  Tera Pickens with the Kirkwood Washington Center says students who did not graduate from high school and did not receive their GED will not be entitled to the Pell Grant funding.

She notes they can still attend Kirkwood without the financial aid.  Pickens says after looking at last year’s enrollment, this new regulation only affects about two percent of all of Kirkwood’s students and only a total of three students in Washington County.

She says this change is a positive thing because students that have a high school diploma or GED are more successful in the classroom.  Pickens says students affected by this change are still encouraged to apply for scholarships and loans.