The Pell Grant and FAFSA are different things that work together

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a form you fill out. The Pell Grant is money you may receive as a result of filling it out. They are not the same.

Think of it this way: the FAFSA is the tool that colleges and the federal government use to figure out how much financial aid you need. The Pell Grant is one type of aid that may come to you based on what the FAFSA reveals about your family's finances and your enrollment status. You complete the FAFSA first. Then, depending on your answers, you may be offered a Pell Grant — or you may not be.

Many students confuse them because you cannot get a Pell Grant without submitting the FAFSA, and most colleges will not give you any federal aid without it. But submitting the FAFSA does not automatically mean you will receive a Pell Grant. Other types of aid — federal loans, work-study, or other grants — may be offered instead or in addition.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAFSA is a form you submit to report your income and family situation; the Pell Grant is a type of money you may receive based on that form.
  • You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for any federal student aid, including Pell Grants.
  • Not everyone who submits the FAFSA receives a Pell Grant — it depends on your Expected Family Contribution and your school enrollment status.
  • The FAFSA opens on October 1 each year and remains open through the following June; Pell Grant amounts change yearly based on federal funding.

What the FAFSA actually does

The FAFSA collects information about your income, assets, family size, and household situation. The U.S. Department of Education uses this information to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), now called the Student Aid Index (SAI) as of the 2024–2025 school year. This number tells colleges how much your family is expected to contribute toward your education costs.

The FAFSA is not a request for a specific type of aid. It is a disclosure form. You submit it once per school year, and colleges use it to build your financial aid package. That package may include grants, loans, work-study, or a combination of all three. The FAFSA itself does not award money — it provides the information colleges need to decide what aid to offer you.

You submit the FAFSA directly to the federal government through fafsa.gov. You can list up to ten colleges on the form, and each one receives your information. Each college then decides what aid to offer based on your FAFSA results and their own policies.

What the Pell Grant is and who receives it

The Pell Grant is a federal grant, meaning it is money from the U.S. Department of Education that you do not have to repay. It is designed for undergraduate students from low- and moderate-income families.

To receive a Pell Grant, you must meet several conditions: you must be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent, you must be enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program, and your Student Aid Index (SAI) must fall below a certain threshold. That threshold changes yearly. For the 2024–2025 school year, the maximum SAI for Pell Grant may be able to access is $6,000, though this number is adjusted annually by Congress.

The amount of the Pell Grant you receive depends on your SAI, your enrollment status (full-time or part-time), and the cost of attendance at your school. The maximum Pell Grant for 2024–2025 is $7,395, but many students receive less. If your school's cost of attendance is lower than your grant amount, your grant is reduced to match the school's cost.

How the FAFSA and Pell Grant connect

The FAFSA is the gateway to the Pell Grant. You cannot be considered for a Pell Grant without submitting the FAFSA. When you complete the form, the federal government calculates your SAI. If your SAI is low enough and you meet the other requirements, you become may be able to access for a Pell Grant.

Your college's financial aid office receives your FAFSA information and determines your Pell Grant amount based on federal formulas. They then include the Pell Grant in your financial aid package. The grant is usually paid directly to your school, which applies it to tuition and fees. Any remaining balance may be refunded to you.

If you do not meet the SAI threshold for a Pell Grant, you may still receive other types of federal aid based on your FAFSA — such as federal loans or work-study — depending on your school's policies and your financial need.

When you submit the FAFSA versus when you receive the Pell Grant

The FAFSA opens on October 1 each year and closes on June 30 of the following year. You should submit it as early as possible, because some aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and some colleges have their own priority deadlines.

Once you submit the FAFSA, it typically takes three to five business days for the federal government to process your information and send it to the colleges you listed. Your colleges then review your FAFSA results and send you a financial aid package, which includes information about your Pell Grant (if you are may be able to access). This usually happens within two to four weeks, though timing varies by school.

The actual Pell Grant money is disbursed by your school, usually in two payments per semester or term. The timing depends on your school's disbursement schedule. Most schools disburse aid at the start of each semester, but some disburse it at the end. Check with your school's financial aid office for their specific schedule.

What happens if you do not receive a Pell Grant

If your SAI is too high or you do not meet other Pell Grant requirements, you may still have access to other federal aid through the FAFSA. Federal student loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) are available to many students regardless of income. Federal Work-Study may also be offered, allowing you to work part-time on or near campus to help pay for school.

Some students are also may be able to access for other federal grants, such as the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), though availability and amounts vary by school. Your college's financial aid package will show all the aid you are offered based on your FAFSA information.

If you believe you should have received a Pell Grant but did not, contact your school's financial aid office. They can review your FAFSA results and explain why you were not offered one.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. The FAFSA is required to be considered for any federal student aid, including the Pell Grant. There is no other way to apply for a Pell Grant.

Can I get a Pell Grant without being a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or an may be able to access noncitizen to receive a Pell Grant. may be able to access noncitizens include permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, and asylees. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for federal Pell Grants, though some states offer their own grant programs.

What if my FAFSA information changes after I submit it?

You can submit a corrected FAFSA at any time before the June 30 deadline. If your income or family situation changed significantly, contact your school's financial aid office to discuss whether your aid package should be adjusted. Some schools will recalculate aid based on updated information.

Does the Pell Grant cover all of my college costs?

The Pell Grant covers part of your costs, not all of them. The maximum grant for 2024–2025 is $7,395, but the average cost of college is much higher. Most students use a combination of grants, loans, and other aid to pay for school.

Can I use my Pell Grant at any college?

You can use your Pell Grant at any college that participates in the federal student aid program. This includes public universities, private colleges, and many for-profit schools. Your school must be accredited and may be able to access to participate in federal aid programs.