Federal Pell Grant Program

To provide eligible undergraduate postsecondary students who have demonstrated financial need with grant assistance to help meet educational expenses.

The Federal Pell Grant program helps ensure access to postsecondary education for low- and moderate-income undergraduate students by providing grants that help meet postsecondary education costs. The program also promotes lifelong learning by providing resources for low- and moderate-income adults now in the workplace to return to school to upgrade skills.

Undergraduate students and students pursuing a teaching certificate enrolled as regular students in an eligible program at an eligible institution of higher education and making satisfactory academic progress. The applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens and have a high school diploma (or its equivalent); or, for students enrolled prior to July 1, 2012, a demonstrated ability to benefit from the program offered; or, have successfully completed six credits.

Undergraduate students and students pursuing a teaching certificate that are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens and meet financial need criteria. Students must be: regular students in an eligible program and enrolled in institutions of higher education, making satisfactory academic progress. Incarcerated students, except those incarcerated in local penal facilities, are ineligible. Students must sign a statement of educational purpose, not owe a refund on a Title IV grant, and not be in default on a Title IV loan. Eligible males that are at least 18 years old and born after December 31, 1959, can receive aid only if they have registered with the Selective Service.

The student must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen who has been accepted for enrollment in, and is making satisfactory academic progress at an eligible institution of higher education. Eligible schools may be public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education, (such as colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, hospital schools of nursing), and for- profit institutions (proprietary). Eligible males who are at least 18 years or older and born after December 31, 1959, can receive aid only if they have registered with the Selective Service. Graduate students and students who have already earned a bachelor's degree are not eligible for assistance, except those enrolled in an eligible program leading to a professional certification in teaching. Applicants must demonstrate need according to Part F of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Students are able to receive one Federal Pell Grant during any award year (July 1 through June 30). Funds for the Federal Pell Grant are usually disbursed at least twice during an award year. Beginning with the 2017-2018 award year, students can receive Federal Pell Grant funds for up to 150 percent of the student's Federal Pell Grant scheduled award for an award year. To be eligible for the additional Federal Pell Grant funds, the student must be otherwise eligible to receive Federal Pell Grant funds for the payment period and must be enrolled at least half-time in the payment period(s) for which the student receives the additional Federal Pell Grant funds in excess of 100 percent of the student's Federal Pell Grant scheduled award. Students may only receive a Federal Pell Grant until they have received a bachelor's degree. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

The Expected Family Contribution formula is set forth in Part F of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Institutions act as disbursing agents for the Department of Education. The institution that the student attends calculates and disburses the Federal Pell Grant, using a payment schedule developed by the Department of Education that determines the amount of the award based on the student's expected family contribution, cost of attendance, and enrollment status.

Students who have applied in the previous award year may be eligible to complete a paper or electronic renewal application which contains preprinted student data and requires students only to update certain information. However, eligibility is still annually determined.

An institution, on the basis of supplemental documentation, may rule that an applicant is self-supporting, even though under the standard criteria, the applicant would normally be considered financially dependent on his or her parents. An institution may adjust on a case-by-case basis a student's data elements used to calculate his or her EFC and cost of attendance due to unusual circumstances documented by the institution.