Graduate students are not may be able to access for Pell Grants

Pell Grants are limited to undergraduate students only. If you are enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program — a master's degree, PhD, law school, medical school, or any other graduate-level study — you cannot receive a Pell Grant, regardless of your financial need or family income.

This is a federal rule set by Congress, not a decision made by individual schools or the Department of Education. The Pell Grant program was created specifically to help low-income undergraduates pay for their first degree. Graduate students have access to different federal aid programs designed for their level of study.

Key Takeaways

  • Pell Grants are for undergraduate students only; graduate students cannot receive them under any circumstances.
  • Graduate students can borrow through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program, which has higher borrowing limits than undergraduate loans.
  • Graduate students may be may be able to access for Federal Direct PLUS Loans, which allow you to borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus other aid.
  • Some graduate programs offer assistantships, fellowships, or tuition waivers that function as aid but are not federal grants.
  • Your school's financial aid office can tell you what federal loans and institutional aid your specific program offers.

What graduate students can borrow instead

The main federal loan option for graduate students is the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Unlike undergraduate unsubsidized loans, graduate loans have no annual borrowing limit — you can borrow up to the full cost of your education minus any other aid you receive. Interest accrues while you are in school, meaning you will owe more when repayment begins.

Graduate students can also take out a Federal Direct PLUS Loan if they need to borrow beyond the unsubsidized loan limit. A PLUS loan requires a credit check but no income verification. You borrow directly from the federal government at a fixed interest rate set by Congress, which changes each year.

Both loans are federal loans, not grants. You must repay them with interest. The advantage is that federal loans offer income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness programs that private loans do not.

Graduate assistantships and institutional aid

Many graduate programs offer tuition waivers, assistantships, or fellowships that reduce or eliminate your tuition cost. These are not federal grants — they come from your school or from private organizations — but they function as aid because they reduce what you have to pay out of pocket or borrow.

A teaching assistantship or research assistantship typically covers tuition and provides a monthly stipend in exchange for work. A fellowship may cover tuition, provide a stipend, or both, and usually does not require work. Tuition waivers reduce your bill but do not provide living expenses.

Ask your graduate program's financial aid office or graduate coordinator what assistantships, fellowships, or waivers are available in your field. Funding varies widely by program and school.

How to find out what aid your program offers

Contact your school's graduate financial aid office, not the undergraduate office. They can tell you what federal loans you can take, what institutional aid your program offers, and whether your field has assistantships or fellowships available.

You will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal loans, even though you cannot receive a Pell Grant. The FAFSA determines your Expected Family Contribution, which affects your loan may be able to access and any need-based institutional aid your school may offer.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you can file the FAFSA at fafsa.gov. If you are an international student, your school's financial aid office can tell you what aid you may be may be able to access for — federal loans are not available to international students, but some schools offer institutional aid.

Private loans and other funding sources

If federal loans and institutional aid do not cover your costs, you can borrow through private student loans from banks or online lenders. Private loans require a credit check and often a cosigner. Interest rates and terms vary by lender and your credit profile.

Some graduate students also use personal loans, employer tuition reimbursement, or savings. These are not aid programs, but they are options to consider if you need additional funds.

Before taking a private loan, exhaust federal loan options first. Federal loans offer more protections, lower interest rates on average, and repayment flexibility that private loans do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Pell Grant if I am taking one undergraduate class while in graduate school?

No. Once you are enrolled in a graduate degree program, you are classified as a graduate student for financial aid purposes, even if you are also taking undergraduate courses. Your enrollment status is determined by your degree objective, not by individual courses.

What if I am pursuing a second bachelor's degree instead of a graduate degree?

You may be may be able to access for a Pell Grant if you are pursuing your first bachelor's degree. If you already have a bachelor's degree and are pursuing a second one, you cannot receive a Pell Grant. Federal law limits Pell Grants to students working toward their first undergraduate degree.

Do graduate students get any federal grants at all?

No. Federal grants like the Pell Grant are for undergraduates only. Graduate students have access to federal loans but not federal grants. Some graduate programs offer institutional grants or fellowships from the school itself, but these are not federal programs.

Can I use federal loans to pay for graduate school if I have not finished my undergraduate degree?

No. You must complete your undergraduate degree before you can enroll in a graduate program and access graduate-level federal loans. If you are still working on your bachelor's degree, you remain an undergraduate for financial aid purposes.