Federal Pell
Overview
The Pell Grant is gift aid from the federal government, awarded based on financial need. It supports students across fall, spring, and summer terms, with amounts varying by household income levels relative to the federal poverty guidelines.
- gift aid that does not have to be repaid
- funded by the federal government
- awarded for fall, spring, and/or summer semesters, if eligible*
- for 2024-2025:
- Families making less than 175% and single parents making less than 225% of the federal poverty level will see their students receive a maximum Federal Pell Grant award. Minimum Pell Grants will be guaranteed to students from households below 275%, 325%, 350%, or 400% of the poverty level, depending on household structure. Pell awards between the maximum and minimum amounts will be determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI).
Requirements
- complete FAFSA
- demonstrate financial need
- be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- have a high school diploma or high school equivalent
- be enrolled for at least 1 credit hour
- be enrolled in an active eligible program of study
- make satisfactory academic progress
*Students that are enrolled less than full time for either fall or spring term, can have unused Federal Pell Grant aid transferred to summer. Please refer to Year-Round Pell and Summer Aid.
Lifetime Pell Grant funds
The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds you may receive over your lifetime is limited by federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Federal Pell Grant funding. Since the maximum amount of Federal Pell Grant funding you can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year-equivalent is 600%.
Track your remaining Federal Pell Grant eligibility on NSLDS.