A collapsed lung, also known as a pneumothorax, occurs when air escapes out of a lung and becomes trapped inside the space between the chest and lung cavities. This can be caused by air blisters in the lungs that break open, sudden air pressure changes, or trauma to the chest or ribcage.
The IRS interpreted this provision as applying only to full-time students. In a 1993 technical advice memorandum, the IRS provided a safe-harbor definition of a full-time undergraduate student as one who is taking 12 credit hours and working no more than 20 hours per week.
An important consideration for Pell grant funds is your student status. According to the federal student aid handbook on how to calculate Pell grant funds, a full-time student is one who is taking at least 12 credit hours per semester, quarter or trimester, and as a full-time student is eligible for the full amount of the grant. As of the time of publication, a Pell grant for a full-time student is $5,500, providing the student plans to attend school for the entire year. Students enrolled in fewer credits or for a portion of the school year receive a lesser amount.