What is the Pell Grant Act?

The federal Pell Grant program, authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA; P.L. 89-329), is the single largest source of federal grant aid supporting postsecondary education students.

What is a Pell Grant in simple terms?

A Pell Grant is money the government provides for students who need to pay for college. Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid.

What is the Pell Act?

The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act provides opportunities for students and workers looking to gain skills in high-demand fields by allowing Pell Grants to support students enrolled in high-quality, short-term education programs that will lead to career advancement.

How do I know if I qualify for a Pell Grant?

Schools use the information on the FAFSA^® form to determine your eligibility for a Pell Grant, and if so, how much you're eligible to receive. You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year you're in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid, including Pell Grant awards.

What is the difference between Pell Grant and FAFSA?

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.

What are Pell Grants...and what's new in 2022?

Why am I not eligible for 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.

Do you have to 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.

What is the highest income for Pell Grant?

For the 2024-2025 FAFSA, a family of four living in the 48 contiguous states making up to $52,500 in AGI would qualify for the Maximum Pell Grant.

Are you automatically considered for Pell Grant?

Students must fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form by the appropriate deadline to start the financial aid process. When that form is completed, they automatically qualify for the pool of Pell Grant money.

Is Pell Grant based on adjusted gross income?

Maximum Pell Grant – Applicants may qualify for a Maximum Pell Grant based on family size, adjusted gross income (AGI), and poverty guidelines.

Is FAFSA money a Pell Grant?

FAFSA serve different functions, they both have a role under the broader federal student aid program. A FAFSA provides students access to the Pell Grant, and Pell Grant eligibility is determined by the FAFSA.

Why is it called the Pell Grant?

Like a scholarship, the Federal Pell Grant gives students money for college that does not need to be repaid. The grant is named after Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell, who worked with education policy expert Lois Rice in 1972 to develop the award as part of a reform package for the 1965 Higher Education Act.

Why are Pell Grants awarded?

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. The maximum Pell Grant for the 2022-23 award year (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023) is $6.895. Grants are not loans. They do not need to be paid back.

What is the maximum Pell Grant for 2023?

The maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2023–24 award year (July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024) is $7,395.

Can I use my Pell Grant to pay off student loans?

You can't use your Pell Grant to directly pay your student loan. However, if there are any funds left over after your school applies your Pell Grant toward your tuition and fees, those funds are given directly to you, and you then may use them to reduce your loan amount.

How is Pell Grant calculated?

Pell Grant scheduled awards are based on the 9-month Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the student's valid SAR or ISIR, the academic year structure (see Volume 3, Chapter 1), and the cost of attendance (COA) for a full-time student for a full academic year (see Volume 3, Chapter 2).

Can I pocket my Pell Grant?

You can get over $6,000 in financial aid to pay for your education per academic year, and Pell Grants don't have to be repaid. If you're eligible for a larger Pell Grant than you need for school, you could even receive a Pell Grant refund and get the unused money to use for other expenses.

How do I get 100% of Pell Grant?

The scheduled award is the maximum amount of Federal Pell Grant you can receive for the aid year if enrolled full-time for the full school year. A scheduled award represents 100% of your Pell Grant eligibility for that aid year.

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $200 K?

But you might be surprised to learn that there are no FAFSA income limits to qualify for aid. For example, a family with a household income of hundreds of thousands of dollars could be helped by other factors in the FAFSA formula, including school costs and the number of siblings also attending school.

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over 100k?

If your parents are high earners, you might assume you won't get any financial aid to help pay for college. But that's not necessarily the case. The Department of Education doesn't have an official income cutoff to qualify for federal financial aid.

What happens if I don't use my Pell Grant money?

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.

Can I spend Pell Grant on anything?

What can I spend my Pell Grant on? Pell Grant funds can be used to cover tuition and fees for school, though you cannot use the funds to finance your education at more than one school at a time. Outside of tuition and fees, however, you can use the funds for books, technology expenses, transportation and supplies.

Can you get the Pell Grant twice?

Yes. There is a maximum amount of Federal Pell Grant funds you can receive over your lifetime. You can receive the Pell Grant for no more than 12 terms or the equivalent (roughly six years).

Why did my Pell Grant go down 2023?

If the student is enrolled less than full-time, the disbursement will be prorated at the time of disbursement. As a result of any enrollment changes, the final Pell grant disbursement may increase or decrease.