Is the Pell Grant the same as FAFSA?

Millions of Pell Grants are awarded each year to eligible undergraduate students who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®) form. Pell Grants have been around for more than 50 years—the program started in 1972 to address the growing need for financial assistance for undergraduate students.

What is the difference between a Pell Grant and a FAFSA grant?

The FAFSA is the form you fill out, and the Pell Grant is one of the ways to receive aid while you attend school. Pell Grant funds are typically offered to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The FAFSA helps a student show the government and the school that they have a need.

Do you pay back Pell Grants?

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are typically awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree.

How do I know if I received a Pell Grant?

Check With Your Former School

A financial aid officer may be able to provide Pell Grant information from their records, she said. Likewise, contacting a financial aid officer is another way to confirm that a borrower did not receive a Pell Grant if nothing is listed for them at StudentAid.gov.

Is the Pell Grant the same for everyone?

Students must submit the FAFSA annually to continue receiving Pell Grant funds. Because the information entered into the FAFSA may change year to year, a student's EFC may change, leading to different Pell Grant award amounts. Other financial aid a student may qualify for will not have an effect on a Pell Grant award.

The ULTIMATE Guide to Maximize Pell Grant Money | Pell Grant Requirements

What is the maximum FAFSA grant?

Under these continuing appropriations, for the 2024-2025 award year, the maximum Pell Grant award remains fixed at $7,395.

Can I pocket the Pell Grant?

If you have money left over from your Pell Grant, you can ask the school to hold the funds for you, or you can receive the remaining amount as a refund. Pell Grants go toward education expenses, except student loan expenses.

Do I get 20k if I had a Pell Grant?

But only those who also received Pell Grants can get up to $20,000. If you owe less than $20,000, your relief is capped at your outstanding student loan debt. For example, if you owe $13,000, then the maximum amount of relief you can get is $13,000.

What is Pell Grant in FAFSA?

The Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program offered to undergraduates and is designed to assist students from low-income households. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances.

How do I check my FAFSA Pell Grant status?

You can view your Pell Grant LEU by using your federal student aid ID and password and logging into https://studentaid.gov. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) also sends email notifications to students who have used 450% or more of their LEU.

What GPA do you need to get a Pell Grant?

At most institutions, the minimum is a 2.0 (the equivalent of a C grade). Maintaining this GPA is enough to show that you are making satisfactory academic progress. If you have trouble meeting this requirement, talk to the Financial Aid Department at your school.

Why am I not eligible for Federal Pell Grant?

Pell Grants are awarded usually only to students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. To be eligible for a Pell grant, you must also meet the general federal student aid eligibility requirements.

What 4 things affect the amount of money you receive from your Pell Grant?

The amount granted depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), cost of attendance, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

Why did FAFSA not give me a grant?

If you did not complete the FAFSA for the academic year when you are seeking aid, you won't receive any. If you did complete the FAFSA, but didn't receive financial aid, confirm that you completed the form for the correct year. Contact your school's financial aid office if the wrong form was completed.

Is FAFSA a loan or grant?

The FAFSA is not a loan. It is an application form. However, you can use the FAFSA to apply for financial aid and federal student loans. The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is used to apply for several types of financial aid, including grants, student employment and federal student loans.

Who qualifies for Pell Grants 2024?

Minimum Pell Grant Eligibility Criteria

The student's parent is not a single parent and has an AGI less than or equal to 275% of the poverty guideline for the applicant's family size and state of residence.

How do I maximize my Pell Grant?

Enroll as a full-time student: The Pell Grant amount is affected by your enrollment status. Full-time students generally receive a higher award than part-time students. If possible, maintain full-time enrollment to maximize your Pell Grant benefits.

How much can you get from FAFSA Pell Grant?

Award amounts can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2023–24 award year (July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024). The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2024–25 award year (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025).

What is a good Federal Pell Grant amount?

The average Pell Grant award is $4,491. 51% of Pell Grant funds go to students whose families earn less than $20,000 annually – the largest majority. The maximum amount an individual can receive from the Pell Grant is $6,895. 88% of Pell Grant funds go to public universities.

What happens if you only receive one Pell Grant?

Even receiving a single Pell Grant qualifies eligible borrowers for the $20,000 in student loan relief—even if their remaining loans are graduate school loans.

Can I use Pell Grant to buy a laptop?

Pell Grant recipients with near-zero EFC may be eligible for Long Term Equipment Loans (LTELs) while they remain actively enrolled at the college - through to graduation. Long Term Equipment Loans can include laptops, desktops and other equipment, as well as specialized software for their discipline where necessary.

Is Pell Grant first come first serve?

Grants: Grants are based on financial need, so they tend to run out first. The Pell Grant, a notable federal grant, is the only exception—it will always be available. Scholarships: Scholarships are generally based on merit, unlike grants, and may involve writing scholarship essays.

Can you spend Pell Grant money on other things besides tuition?

Pell Grant funds spent on “qualified education expenses” like tuition, fees, textbooks, and school supplies are exempt from taxation. However, Pell Grant funds spent on other expenses that aren't considered “qualified education expenses,” even if associated with living expenses, count as taxable income.

Does FAFSA cover all 4 years?

Most types of FAFSA aid can be extended beyond 4 years if need be: The Pell Grant is available for up to 6 years (but is applicable only to a first bachelors) The federal student loan programs don't have time limits but do have aggregate amount limits.

Can you get FAFSA twice?

You must apply for federal student aid for every school year you attend. To reapply, you should submit a FAFSA form. If you submitted a FAFSA form last year and are eligible to complete a FAFSA renewal, you may choose to have most of the questions prefilled with the information you previously provided.