Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students based on the results from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This information is used to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI), which allows us to determine how much need-based financial aid you are eligible for. It provides schools with a picture of your family’s financial strength.

The amount of your Pell Grant depends on your SAI and your enrollment status (full-time, three-quarter-time, half-time, or less than half-time). 

Eligible students are allowed to receive Pell for 12 full-time equivalent semesters or six years. This is known as the Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility. Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding you can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%. 

Be sure to plan your course schedule carefully so that you can graduate on time. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree are ineligible.