Jenna McNees is paying her own way through college, relying on government loans to help meet high tuition costs.

But soon McNees (sophomore-mathematics education) may find her education in jeopardy.

In November, the U.S. Department of Education increased funding for federal Pell Grants from $458 million to $12.4 billion, but also issued new federal rules that would greatly reduce the number of students receiving grants.

According to The Associated Press, the changes would also reduce the amount of money received by over one million prospective recipients and cut all assistance for over 80,000 students formerly eligible for aid.

The idea behind the cuts is that while fewer students will receive grants, those who do will receive a greater sum of money. Currently, the cap on Pell Grants is $4,050 each year, but with the changes, larger rewards could be given to the most needy students.

McNees, who currently receives a Pell Grant, said she is afraid she might lose her grant money.

"I don't even know if I'll be able to finish school," she said.

Education Department spokeswoman Jane Glickman refused to comment on the reasons behind the government's decision.

Penn State awarded a total of 15,685 Pell Grants to students in the 2003-04 academic year, said Bob Snyder, the university's associate director of student aid programs.

"We are concerned about Pell Grant cuts because it is a very worthy program that has always targeted needy students at the college level," said Kerstin Roan, Penn State director of student aid programs.

However, she said Penn State has not yet conducted a study to determine the number of students affected by the changes.

"It's too early to really speak on the Penn State situation ... [but we] always keep a close eye on how our students' financial aid eligibility may be tainting," she said.

Roan added she is unsure whether she supports the government's rationale for the cutbacks.

"We're really getting into a slippery realm because it's philosophical," she said. "At Penn State our philosophical approach has been to assist needy students as much as we can."

Zach Vosseler (senior-elementary education), a Pell Grant recipient, said he is worried the cutbacks might affect his personal financial situation.

"I guess it's just frustrating because what that means is that I wouldn't receive grant money," he said.