The Pell Grant process starts with the FAFSA, not with your school

To receive a Pell Grant, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first. The U.S. Department of Education uses your FAFSA information to calculate how much federal aid you may receive based on your family's financial situation. Your school does not determine your Pell Grant amount — the federal government does, using a formula applied to every applicant.

You submit the FAFSA online at fafsa.gov, not through your school's website. After you submit, the Department of Education sends your results to the schools you listed on the form. Your school's financial aid office then uses those results to build your aid package, which may include a Pell Grant along with loans and other aid.

The FAFSA opens October 1 each year and remains open through June 30 of the following year. However, schools and states often distribute aid on a first-come, first-served basis, so submitting early — ideally in October or November — increases the chance you will receive the full amount you are may have access to to.

Key Takeaways

  • You must complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov before any school can determine your Pell Grant amount.
  • The federal government calculates your Pell Grant based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), not on your school's decision.
  • Submit your FAFSA as early as possible after October 1, because some schools run out of Pell funds before the year ends.
  • Your school's financial aid office receives your FAFSA results and notifies you of your Pell Grant amount in your aid package.
  • You do not need to repay a Pell Grant, but you must maintain satisfactory academic progress at your school to keep receiving it.

What information you need to complete the FAFSA

Gather your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license or state ID before you start. You will also need your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, which is a username and password you create at studentaid.gov. If you are a dependent student, you will need one of your parents' FSA IDs as well, since a parent must sign the FAFSA electronically.

Have your most recent tax return available — yours if you filed one, or your parents' if you are a dependent. If you have not filed taxes yet, you can use estimates and update the FAFSA later. You will also need information about savings, investments, and any untaxed income. If you receive benefits like Social Security or veterans' education benefits, have those details ready.

The FAFSA asks about your citizenship status, so have your Social Security card or immigration documents nearby. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may still be able to receive a Pell Grant if you hold a valid visa or are a permanent resident — but undocumented students are not may be able to access for federal Pell Grants.

How to fill out and submit the FAFSA

Go to fafsa.gov and click "Start Here." You will create or log into your FSA ID. The form asks questions in sections: your personal information, your school choices, your family's financial information, and your parents' information if you are a dependent. You can save your progress and return later — the form does not need to be completed in one sitting.

When you reach the financial information section, answer honestly about your family's income, assets, and household size. The federal government uses this information to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The lower your EFC, the higher your Pell Grant. If your family's income is very low, your EFC may be zero, which means you could receive the maximum Pell Grant amount for that year.

List the schools where you plan to attend or are considering. The Department of Education will send your FAFSA results to each school you name. You can add or remove schools later if you change your mind. When you are finished, review your answers, then submit electronically. You will receive a confirmation number — save this for your records.

What happens after you submit the FAFSA

The Department of Education processes your FAFSA and generates a Student Aid Report (SAR), which shows the information you submitted and your Expected Family Contribution. You will receive an email with a link to view your SAR. Check it for errors — if your income or family size is wrong, you can make corrections online.

Your FAFSA results are sent to each school you listed within a few days to a few weeks. The school's financial aid office uses your EFC to calculate your Pell Grant amount. They will send you an aid package — usually by email or through a student portal — showing how much Pell Grant you will receive, along with any loans, work-study, or other aid you may be offered.

If you do not hear from a school within three weeks of submitting your FAFSA, contact that school's financial aid office directly. Schools sometimes need additional documents or clarification before they can finalize your aid package.

How the Pell Grant amount is determined

The federal government sets a maximum Pell Grant amount each year. For the 2024–2025 academic year, the maximum is $7,395, though this amount changes annually. Your actual Pell Grant is calculated by subtracting your Expected Family Contribution from the maximum amount. If your EFC is zero, you receive the full maximum. If your EFC is higher, your Pell Grant is lower.

Your school also considers whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time. A full-time student typically receives the full Pell Grant amount. A part-time student receives a smaller amount, proportional to their enrollment. Some schools also prorate Pell Grants for students who enroll mid-year or leave before the year ends.

If you are a dependent student, your parents' income and assets affect your EFC more heavily than your own. If you are an independent student, only your income and assets are considered. Independent status is determined by specific criteria — age, marriage status, military service, or other factors — not by whether your parents help pay for school.

How to receive your Pell Grant money

Your school does not mail you a check. Instead, the school receives your Pell Grant funds from the Department of Education and applies them to your account. First, the school uses the money to pay tuition and fees. Any remaining balance is typically returned to you as a refund, either by check or direct deposit to a bank account you provide.

This process usually happens before each semester or term begins. Your school's financial aid office will tell you when to expect your refund and how you will receive it. Some schools hold refunds until a few days after classes start, to allow time for students to drop courses.

If you receive more aid than you owe in tuition and fees — for example, if you also received a loan or scholarship — the school must return the overage to you. By law, schools cannot keep excess aid money.

Requirements to keep your Pell Grant year to year

You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving a Pell Grant. This means you need to earn a minimum grade point average (usually 2.0 or higher, though your school sets the exact standard) and complete a certain percentage of the credits you attempt each term. If you fail courses or do not complete enough credits, your school may place you on financial aid probation or suspend your aid.

You must also remain enrolled as a student and continue to meet the basic requirements: U.S. citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, a valid Social Security number, and no drug convictions while receiving aid. If you change schools, your new school will receive your FAFSA information and determine your new Pell Grant amount based on your current EFC.

If your family's financial situation changes significantly — a job loss, a major decrease in income, or a change in household size — you can submit a FAFSA correction or a new FAFSA the following year. Your Pell Grant amount may increase if your EFC decreases.

What to do if you do not receive a Pell Grant

If your Expected Family Contribution is too high, you will not receive a Pell Grant. However, you may still be offered federal loans, work-study, or other aid. Some schools also offer institutional grants or scholarships that do not depend on federal calculations.

If you believe your FAFSA results are incorrect, contact your school's financial aid office or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). They can help you identify errors and explain how to correct them. If your family's income has dropped since you filed taxes, you may be able to submit a correction that increases your Pell Grant may be able to access.

If you are not a U.S. citizen but hold a valid visa or green card, you are may be able to access for a Pell Grant. If you are undocumented, you are not may be able to access for federal Pell Grants, but some states and schools offer their own aid programs for undocumented students. Contact your school's financial aid office to learn what options may be available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to repay a Pell Grant?

No. A Pell Grant is a gift — you do not repay it. However, if you withdraw from school or drop below full-time enrollment, your school may recalculate your Pell Grant and ask you to return part of the money. Ask your school's financial aid office about their withdrawal policy before you drop courses.

Can I receive a Pell Grant if I am already in college?

Yes. You can receive a Pell Grant for any year of undergraduate study, as long as you meet the requirements and submit a FAFSA. If you are returning to school after time away, submit a new FAFSA — your may be able to access may have changed.

What if my parents refuse to provide their financial information?

If you are a dependent student and your parents will not help you complete the FAFSA, contact your school's financial aid office. They can sometimes override the dependency status or help you explore other options. Some students may be able to claim independent status if they can document that they are self-supporting.

Can I use a Pell Grant at any college?

You can use a Pell Grant at any school that participates in federal student aid programs, including public universities, private colleges, and some vocational schools. Your school must be accredited and certified by the Department of Education. Check fafsa.gov to confirm a school participates before you enroll.

What happens to my Pell Grant if I change schools?

Your Pell Grant follows you. When you transfer, your new school receives your FAFSA information and your may be able to access status. Your new school calculates your Pell Grant based on your EFC and their cost of attendance. The amount may be different at your new school, but your may be able to access does not reset.