Federal Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is a federal grant for undergraduates with financial need who have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree, subject to limited exceptions for approved workforce or teacher-certification programs. For the 2026–27 award year, the published maximum is $7,395; that is not an automatic payment. The calculation uses the Student Aid Index (SAI), the college’s cost of attendance, enrollment intensity, the length of attendance, and remaining lifetime e
About Federal Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is a federal grant for undergraduates with financial need who have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree, subject to limited exceptions for approved workforce or teacher-certification programs. For the 2026–27 award year, the published maximum is $7,395; that is not an automatic payment. The calculation uses the Student Aid Index (SAI), the college’s cost of attendance, enrollment intensity, the length of attendance, and remaining lifetime eligibility.
Start by submitting the FAFSA for the year you plan to attend and listing the colleges you are considering. The form lets the Department of Education and each institution assess available aid; there is no separate Pell application. After admission, review your FAFSA Submission Summary and the college’s offer: an estimate is not a confirmed award, and the institution determines the applicable cost of attendance for your program.
The grant may help with recognized education expenses, but it is disbursed through the college and may first be applied to account charges; the institution handles any remaining credit under its rules. In some cases, students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled annual award through summer Pell. The lifetime limit is generally equivalent to six full-time years. If you withdraw from classes, you may have to repay part of a disbursement. Compare the net offer with tuition, housing, and transportation before accepting loans.
Who it serves and what it can cover: The Pell Grant is a federal grant for undergraduates with financial need who have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree, subject to limited exceptions for approved workforce or teacher-certification programs. For the 2026–27 award year, the published maximum is $7,395; that is not an automatic payment. The calculation uses the Student Aid Index (SAI), the college’s cost of attendance, enrollment intensity, the length of attendance, and remaining lifetime eligibility. Start by submitting the FAFSA for the year you plan to attend and listing the colleges you are considering. The form lets the Department of Education and each institution assess available aid; there is no separate Pell application. After admission, review your FAFSA Submission Summary and the college’s offer: an estimate is not a confirmed award, and the institution determines the applicable cost of attendance for your program.
How to apply or get help: The grant may help with recognized education expenses, but it is disbursed through the college and may first be applied to account charges; the institution handles any remaining credit under its rules. In some cases, students can receive up to 150% of their scheduled annual award through summer Pell. The lifetime limit is generally equivalent to six full-time years. If you withdraw from classes, you may have to repay part of a disbursement. Compare the net offer with tuition, housing, and transportation before accepting loans. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
College financial-aid program