The U.S. Department of Education has determined that it can establish the Pell Grant maximum for the 2011-12 academic year at $5,550 based on the Dec. 22, 2010, Continuing Resolution (CR) that expires on March 4. The agency plans to issue the 2011-12 Pell Grant Payment and Disbursement Schedules using the $5,550 maximum Pell (same level as current year) by February 1. If Congress extends the current CR without altering spending levels, the maximum Pell award would be $5,550 and the Pell Schedules issued before Feb. 1 would stand. If Congress alters Pell spending after the current CR expires, the maximum Pell award could change and Pell Schedules could need to be revised.