You need to complete the FAFSA and meet federal income and enrollment requirements

A Pell Grant is a federal education award for students from lower-income households. Unlike a loan, you do not repay it. To learn about whether you might be considered, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens October 1 each year. The FAFSA collects information about your household income, assets, and family size — the federal government uses this to calculate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which determines how much aid you might receive.

You must also be enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree program at a school that participates in federal aid programs. Graduate students, students in certificate programs, or those taking only one or two classes per term typically do not may have access to. Your school's financial aid office will tell you whether your program meets the requirement.

Citizenship or permanent residency is required. You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident to receive federal aid. If you are an international student or have uncertain immigration status, your school's financial aid office can explain what options may be available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Complete the FAFSA starting October 1 each year; it is the single document that determines your may be able to access for federal aid.
  • You must be enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree program at a school that participates in federal aid programs.
  • Your household income and family size determine how much you might receive; there is no fixed income cutoff, but awards are smaller for higher-income families.
  • Your school's financial aid office processes your FAFSA results and tells you what aid you have been offered.
  • If you have already received a bachelor's degree, you cannot receive a Pell Grant for a second bachelor's degree.

How the FAFSA determines your award amount

The FAFSA asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, income from the previous tax year, and information about your parents' income if you are claimed as a dependent. The federal government uses this information to calculate your Expected Family Contribution — the amount your family is expected to contribute toward education costs. The maximum Pell Grant amount changes each year; your actual award is the maximum amount minus your Expected Family Contribution.

If your Expected Family Contribution is zero or very low, you receive the full maximum Pell Grant for that year. If your Expected Family Contribution is higher, your award is smaller. If your Expected Family Contribution exceeds the maximum Pell Grant amount, you receive no Pell Grant, though you may still be considered for other federal aid like subsidized loans or work-study.

Your school's financial aid office receives your FAFSA information and calculates your actual award based on the cost of attendance at that school. Two students with identical FAFSA results may receive different dollar amounts if they attend schools with different costs.

When to submit the FAFSA and what documents you need

The FAFSA opens October 1 and you can submit it anytime through June 30 of the following year. However, many schools and states distribute aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting early — ideally in October or November — increases the chance you receive the full amount available. Some states and schools have earlier deadlines for state-specific aid, so check with your school's financial aid office for their priority date.

You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and your most recent tax return or tax information. If you are a dependent student, you will also need one parent's Social Security number and their tax information. You can complete the FAFSA online at fafsa.gov. If you do not have a Social Security number, you cannot complete the FAFSA, though you should contact your school's financial aid office to learn what other aid might be available to you.

After you submit the FAFSA, you receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that shows the information you provided and your Expected Family Contribution. Review it carefully for errors. If you find a mistake, you can correct it through fafsa.gov, and your school will receive the updated information.

What happens after you submit the FAFSA

Your school's financial aid office receives your FAFSA results and sends you a financial aid package — a document that lists all the aid you have been offered, including Pell Grants, loans, and work-study. This usually arrives by email or through your school's student portal. The financial aid package shows the dollar amount of your Pell Grant and explains how to accept it.

You do not need to do anything else to receive a Pell Grant once it is offered — your school applies it to your tuition bill automatically. If your Pell Grant exceeds what you owe, your school will refund the difference to you, usually by check or direct deposit. If you owe more than the Pell Grant covers, you are responsible for the remaining balance.

If you do not receive a financial aid package within a few weeks of submitting the FAFSA, contact your school's financial aid office. They can tell you whether your FAFSA was received and processed, and whether there are any issues holding up your aid.

Income limits and other may be able to access rules

There is no strict income cutoff for a Pell Grant. Instead, your award amount decreases as your family income increases. Families with very high incomes may not receive a Pell Grant, but the threshold depends on family size and the maximum grant amount that year. Your school's financial aid office can estimate your award based on your household income.

You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to keep your Pell Grant from year to year. This typically means earning a minimum grade point average (usually 2.0) and completing a certain percentage of the credits you attempt each term. If you fall below your school's satisfactory academic progress standard, you lose may be able to access for federal aid until you bring your grades or completion rate back up.

You cannot receive a Pell Grant if you have already earned a bachelor's degree, even if you are pursuing a different degree. You also cannot receive a Pell Grant if you are in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on a previous federal grant.

What to do if you do not receive a Pell Grant

If your Expected Family Contribution is too high to receive a Pell Grant, you may still be considered for other federal aid. Subsidized loans allow you to borrow money at a lower interest rate, and unsubsidized loans are available regardless of income. Federal work-study provides part-time jobs on campus. Your financial aid package will list all aid you have been offered.

You should also ask your school about institutional aid — grants and scholarships funded by the school itself rather than the federal government. Many schools offer need-based grants to students who do not may have access to for federal aid, and merit-based scholarships based on academic or athletic achievement. Your school's financial aid office can tell you what is available and how to request it.

If you believe there was an error in your FAFSA results or your family's financial situation has changed since you submitted it, contact your school's financial aid office. They can request a professional judgment review, which allows them to adjust your Expected Family Contribution based on unusual circumstances like job loss or medical expenses.

Pell Grants for students with uncertain immigration status

Federal Pell Grants require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. If you are an international student, undocumented, or have temporary protected status, you do not may have access to for federal aid. However, some states and schools offer aid to students in these situations. California, New York, Texas, and several other states have state-funded grant programs for undocumented students. Some private colleges and universities also offer institutional aid regardless of immigration status.

Contact your school's financial aid office and explain your situation. They can tell you what aid your state and school offer, and help you understand what documents you will need. Do not assume you are ineligible without speaking to someone at your school — policies vary widely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Pell Grant if I am part-time or taking online classes?

You must be enrolled at least half-time, which typically means 6 credit hours per term. Online classes count toward this requirement if they are part of a degree program at a school that participates in federal aid. Part-time enrollment reduces your Pell Grant award proportionally — a half-time student receives half the maximum grant amount.

What if my parents refuse to provide their financial information?

If you are claimed as a dependent, you must include your parents' information on the FAFSA. If they refuse, you cannot complete the form. However, you may be able to request a dependency override from your school's financial aid office if you can document that your parents are unwilling or unable to help pay for school. This is a difficult process and not always approved, but it is worth discussing with your financial aid office.

Do I lose my Pell Grant if I change schools?

Your Pell Grant follows you to any school that participates in federal aid programs. When you transfer, notify your new school's financial aid office and provide them with your FAFSA information. Your new school will recalculate your award based on their cost of attendance, so your grant amount may change.

Can I use a Pell Grant to pay for room and board or books?

Yes. Your school's financial aid office calculates your cost of attendance, which includes tuition, fees, room and board, books, and other expenses. Your Pell Grant can be applied to any of these costs. If your grant exceeds tuition and fees, the remainder can be used for living expenses or refunded to you.

What happens to my Pell Grant if I drop out or withdraw from school?

If you withdraw before completing a certain percentage of the term, your school must recalculate how much aid you have earned and may require you to repay a portion of your Pell Grant. The exact rules depend on when you withdraw and your school's policies. Contact your school's financial aid office before withdrawing to understand what will happen to your aid.