Pell Grant

About This Program

The Pell Grant is the foundation of federal financial aid for low-income undergraduates. Unlike student loans, it is money you do not repay. Award amounts in 2024-25 range from $740 to $7,395 per academic year, depending on your Expected Family Contribution (or Student Aid Index under the revised FAFSA), enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time), and the cost of attendance at your school. The grant is portable — it follows you to any eligible institution. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required to receive a Pell Grant. Completing the FAFSA can feel daunting, but it is free to file and the potential grant money makes it worthwhile even for students who assume they will not qualify. The new Simplified FAFSA reduced the number of questions significantly. Many community college students and trade school students qualify for Pell and never apply because they assume it is only for four-year universities. Pell Grants are available at community colleges, technical schools, and four-year universities. You can use them for tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. The maximum award is limited to 12 semesters (six years) of full-time enrollment over a lifetime — this lifetime limit applies even if you attended college years ago and did not finish. A Summer Pell Grant provides an additional half-year award for students enrolled in summer sessions, effectively making year-round enrollment more affordable. Students with incomes up to roughly $26,000 often receive the maximum Pell Grant. Students with higher family incomes may receive a partial grant. The Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Estimator at studentaid.gov gives a non-binding estimate before you file.

Eligibility Requirements

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