How to get a federal Pell Grant

To get a federal Pell Grant, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the single form that determines your may be able to access for all federal student aid. The FAFSA opens October 1 each year and you submit it to the U.S. Department of Education, not to individual schools. After you submit, the department calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — the amount they determine you and your family can pay toward education — and schools use that number to decide how much Pell Grant money you may receive.

You do not apply directly to the Pell Grant program itself. Instead, completing the FAFSA is the application. The federal government then notifies your school of your may be able to access, and your school's financial aid office tells you the grant amount. Pell Grants are need-based, meaning the less your family is expected to contribute, the more you may receive. The maximum grant amount changes each year; for the 2024–2025 award year it is $7,395, but this varies annually based on federal funding.

Key Takeaways

  • You must fill out the FAFSA form, which opens October 1 each year and is submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, not to your school.
  • Pell Grants are need-based, so your family's expected contribution determines the grant amount you may receive.
  • Your school's financial aid office notifies you of your Pell Grant amount after the Department of Education processes your FAFSA.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen, enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program, and have a valid Social Security number to be considered.
  • The FAFSA deadline varies by school, but submitting early increases the chance you receive the full amount available.

Who can receive a Pell Grant

To be considered for a Pell Grant, you must be a U.S. citizen, national, or may be able to access noncitizen with a valid Social Security number. You must be enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at a school that participates in the federal student aid program. Graduate students and students pursuing only non-degree coursework do not may have access to.

You also must have a high school diploma, GED, or homeschool completion credential recognized by your state. If you are a high school student, you may complete the FAFSA before you graduate, but you cannot receive the grant until you have your diploma or equivalent. Additionally, you cannot have a federal student loan in default, and you must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school.

What information you need to complete the FAFSA

Gather these documents before you start the FAFSA: your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, which you create on the StudentAid.gov website. You will also need your most recent tax return or tax information — either your own if you filed taxes, or your parents' if you are a dependent student. If you have not filed taxes yet, you can use estimates and correct them later.

Have your school codes ready. You can search for your school's code on the FAFSA website; you will enter the codes for up to 10 schools you want to receive your information. If you are a dependent student, you will need one parent's FSA ID as well, since a parent must sign the FAFSA electronically. If you are independent, you sign alone. Gather any documentation of unusual circumstances — job loss, medical expenses, or other changes to your family's finances — that you may want to discuss with your school's financial aid office after you submit.

Steps to submit the FAFSA

Go to StudentAid.gov and log in with your FSA ID. If you do not have one, create it before you start the FAFSA itself. Select "Start a New FAFSA" and choose the correct school year — the form for 2024–2025 aid opened October 1, 2023. Answer all required questions about your citizenship, enrollment status, and household information. The form will ask about income, assets, and family size; answer as accurately as you can with the documents you have gathered.

After you complete all sections, review your answers for accuracy. Then sign the form electronically using your FSA ID. If you are a dependent student, a parent must also sign using their FSA ID. Once both signatures are complete, submit the form. You will receive a confirmation number — save this. The Department of Education processes your form and sends results to the schools you listed within three to five business days, though it may take longer during peak periods in October and November.

How schools calculate your Pell Grant amount

After your FAFSA is processed, the Department of Education calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and sends it to each school you listed. Your school's financial aid office then uses a formula: they take the Cost of Attendance (the total cost to attend that school for one year) and subtract your EFC. The result is your financial need. Your Pell Grant amount is based on that need, but cannot exceed the maximum grant for that year.

The same FAFSA result goes to every school, but your grant amount may differ by school because the Cost of Attendance varies. A school with higher tuition and living costs will calculate higher need, potentially resulting in a larger grant. Your school sends you a financial aid award letter showing your Pell Grant amount, other aid you may receive, and any remaining balance you would need to cover through loans or out of pocket.

When you receive your Pell Grant money

Your school does not send Pell Grant money directly to you. Instead, the school receives the funds from the Department of Education and applies them to your bill — tuition, fees, room and board if you live on campus, and other school charges. If the grant exceeds what you owe, the school may issue you a refund for the remainder, though timing varies by school. Some schools refund within days of the semester start; others take several weeks.

Funds are typically disbursed at the start of each semester or term. If you withdraw from school before the semester ends, your school may be required to return a portion of your grant to the Department of Education, depending on how far into the term you were enrolled. Ask your school's financial aid office when disbursements happen and how to set up direct deposit if you receive a refund.

What happens if your circumstances change

If your family's income or household situation changes significantly after you submit the FAFSA — such as a job loss, death in the family, or unexpected medical expense — contact your school's financial aid office. You may be able to request a professional judgment review, in which the office recalculates your need based on updated information. This does not change your FAFSA itself, but it can change the amount of aid your school offers you for that year.

If you withdraw from school or drop below half-time enrollment, you may lose your Pell Grant may be able to access for that term. If you fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress as your school defines it, you may also lose may be able to access. Your school will notify you of these changes. You can regain may be able to access by meeting the school's requirements again, such as raising your GPA or completing a certain number of credits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to repay a Pell Grant?

No. A Pell Grant is a gift aid, not a loan. You do not repay it under any circumstances. If you also take out federal student loans, those you must repay, but the Pell Grant itself is yours to keep.

What if I do not complete the FAFSA by my school's deadline?

Your school may not be able to include you in financial aid disbursement for that term, and you may miss out on grant funding. Each school sets its own deadline, usually in the spring for fall enrollment. Submit as early as possible after October 1 to avoid missing your school's cutoff.

Can I get a Pell Grant if my parents make too much money?

There is no income cutoff for the Pell Grant. Your family's Expected Family Contribution is calculated based on income, assets, family size, and other factors. Families with higher income typically have a higher EFC, which means lower need and a smaller grant, but you are not automatically disqualified.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or may be able to access noncitizen to receive a Pell Grant. may be able to access noncitizens include permanent residents (green card holders) and certain other visa holders. Undocumented immigrants do not may have access to for federal Pell Grants, though some states offer their own grant programs for students regardless of immigration status.

Can I use a Pell Grant at any college?

You can use a Pell Grant only at schools that participate in the federal student aid program. Most accredited colleges and universities do participate, but some do not. When you search for schools on the FAFSA website, participating schools appear in the results. If your school is not listed, contact the school's financial aid office to confirm whether it participates.