A Pell Grant and FAFSA are not the same thing

FAFSA is the form you fill out. A Pell Grant is money you may receive after you submit it. Think of FAFSA as the door and a Pell Grant as one of the things that might be waiting on the other side.

When you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you are telling the federal government about your family's income, assets, and household size. The government uses that information to calculate how much federal aid you may be offered. A Pell Grant is one type of federal aid that may be offered to you based on that calculation. Other types include loans, work-study, and other grants.

Not everyone who fills out FAFSA receives a Pell Grant. Your income and the cost of the school you attend determine whether you get one. The FAFSA itself does not give you money — it is the application that opens the door to programs that do.

Key Takeaways

  • FAFSA is a form you submit to report your family's financial information; a Pell Grant is a type of money you may receive after submitting it.
  • You must complete FAFSA to be considered for a Pell Grant, but completing FAFSA does not mean you will receive one.
  • Pell Grants are limited to students from families with lower incomes, and the amount you receive depends on your school's cost and your family's expected contribution.
  • FAFSA results in a financial aid package that may include loans, work-study, and other grants in addition to or instead of a Pell Grant.

What FAFSA actually does

FAFSA collects information about your family's finances and uses it to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), now called the Student Aid Index (SAI). This number tells schools and the government how much your family is expected to contribute toward your education costs.

Schools then use that number to build a financial aid package. They subtract your SAI from the cost of attendance at their school. The difference is your financial need. Schools fill that need with a mix of grants, loans, and work-study — the specific mix depends on the school's own funds and policies.

FAFSA is required to access any federal student aid. You cannot receive federal loans, federal work-study, or federal grants without submitting it first. Many schools also use FAFSA results to award their own institutional aid.

What a Pell Grant actually is

A Pell Grant is a federal grant — money you do not have to repay — given to undergraduate students from families with lower incomes. The maximum Pell Grant amount changes each year. For the 2024–2025 school year, the maximum is $7,395, though most students receive less.

Your Pell Grant amount depends on two things: your SAI (calculated from FAFSA) and the cost of attendance at your school. If you attend an expensive school, your Pell Grant may be larger. If you attend a less expensive school, it may be smaller. The government will never give you more than the maximum amount, and it will never give you more than the cost of attendance.

You can only receive a Pell Grant if your SAI falls below a certain threshold. That threshold changes yearly. For 2024–2025, students with an SAI of $6,000 or less may receive a Pell Grant, though the exact cutoff depends on the maximum grant amount set by Congress.

How FAFSA leads to a Pell Grant offer

After you submit FAFSA, the government processes your information and sends your SAI to the schools you listed. Each school then sends you a financial aid package. That package will state whether you are being offered a Pell Grant and, if so, how much.

You do not apply separately for a Pell Grant. If you meet the income requirements based on your FAFSA information, the school will include it in your package automatically. You then decide whether to accept it.

The timeline varies. FAFSA processing can take a few weeks to several months depending on the year and whether you need to verify your information. Schools typically send aid packages within a few weeks of receiving your FAFSA results, though some take longer.

Why you might not receive a Pell Grant even after submitting FAFSA

Your family's income or assets may be too high. Pell Grants are designed for students from lower-income families. If your SAI is above the annual threshold, you will not receive one, even if you submitted FAFSA.

You might be pursuing a graduate degree. Pell Grants are only for undergraduate students. If you are in a master's program or doctoral program, you are not may be able to access, regardless of your income.

You might not be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen. FAFSA collects citizenship information, and Pell Grants are restricted to U.S. citizens and certain noncitizens with valid immigration status. Submitting FAFSA does not change that requirement.

You might be enrolled less than half-time. Schools determine your enrollment status, and Pell Grant may be able to access requires at least half-time enrollment in most cases. Some schools have different rules, so check with your financial aid office.

What else might be in your aid package besides a Pell Grant

Federal loans are common. These are money you borrow and must repay with interest. The most common type for undergraduates is the Direct Subsidized Loan, where the government pays the interest while you are in school.

Federal Work-Study is a part-time job on or near campus. You earn an hourly wage and the money goes toward your education costs. Not all schools offer it, and not all students are offered it even if they submit FAFSA.

Other grants may be included. Some schools offer their own institutional grants based on FAFSA results. Some states offer state grants. These vary widely by location and school.

Unsubsidized loans and Parent PLUS loans are also possible. These are also borrowed money and require repayment. Your school will include them in your package if you are offered them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit FAFSA to get a Pell Grant?

Yes. FAFSA is the only way to be considered for a Pell Grant. The government uses the information you provide on FAFSA to determine your may be able to access and the amount you may receive. There is no separate Pell Grant form.

Can I get a Pell Grant if I don't go to college?

Pell Grants are for students enrolled in degree or certificate programs at schools that participate in federal student aid. Some vocational and trade schools may have access to, but you must be enrolled in an accredited program. Contact the school directly to confirm it participates in federal aid programs.

What happens if I'm offered a Pell Grant but don't want it?

You can decline it. Tell your school's financial aid office in writing. Declining a Pell Grant does not affect other aid you may receive, such as loans or institutional grants. You can also accept it now and decline it later if your situation changes.

If I submit FAFSA late, can I still get a Pell Grant?

You can still receive a Pell Grant if you submit FAFSA late, but your school may have already distributed its own aid funds. Submit FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens each year to maximize your options. Some states and schools have priority deadlines that affect the aid package you receive.

Does a Pell Grant cover all my education costs?

Usually not. The maximum Pell Grant is $7,395 for 2024–2025, but many schools cost far more. A Pell Grant is typically one part of a larger financial aid package that may include loans, grants from your school, and other sources. Your financial aid office can explain what your total package covers.