No — a Pell Grant and FAFSA are two separate things, though you need FAFSA to get a Pell Grant

FAFSA is the form you fill out. A Pell Grant is money you may receive after submitting that form. Think of FAFSA as the application and Pell Grant as one possible result. You cannot get a Pell Grant without completing FAFSA first, but completing FAFSA does not automatically mean you will receive a Pell Grant.

The confusion happens because both are federal programs and both involve the same application. But they serve different purposes: FAFSA collects your financial information and determines your need, while a Pell Grant is a specific type of aid that goes to undergraduate students with the lowest expected family contribution.

Key Takeaways

  • FAFSA is the form you submit to the U.S. Department of Education; a Pell Grant is one type of aid you may receive after submitting it.
  • You must complete FAFSA to be considered for a Pell Grant, but submitting FAFSA alone does not may provide you will receive one.
  • Pell Grants go only to undergraduate students, while FAFSA results can lead to other types of aid including loans and work-study.
  • Your FAFSA results determine your Expected Family Contribution, which is what the government uses to calculate Pell Grant amounts.

What FAFSA actually does

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is a form you submit to the U.S. Department of Education that collects information about your income, assets, family size, and household circumstances. The form itself is not aid — it is the gateway to finding out what aid you may receive.

When you submit FAFSA, the government uses your information to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is the amount your family is expected to contribute toward your education costs. Schools then use this number to determine your financial need and what aid packages they can offer you. FAFSA opens the door; it does not hand you money.

What a Pell Grant actually is

A Pell Grant is a specific federal aid program that gives money directly to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Unlike loans, you do not repay a Pell Grant. The amount you receive depends on your Expected Family Contribution, the cost of attendance at your school, and whether you are a full-time or part-time student.

Pell Grants have income limits. For the 2024–2025 school year, your Expected Family Contribution must be below a certain threshold to receive one, though that threshold changes annually. Not every student who completes FAFSA will have a low enough EFC to may have access to for a Pell Grant — some will be offered other types of aid instead, such as loans or work-study positions.

Why you need FAFSA to get a Pell Grant

The government cannot calculate whether you may have access to for a Pell Grant without the information FAFSA collects. Your Expected Family Contribution is the number that determines Pell Grant may be able to access, and that number comes directly from your FAFSA submission. If you do not submit FAFSA, the school has no way to know your financial situation and cannot offer you a Pell Grant.

This is why FAFSA is the first step for any student seeking federal aid of any kind. Even if you think you will not may have access to for a Pell Grant, submitting FAFSA may open doors to other aid programs, loans, or work-study that you do may have access to for.

Other aid you might receive instead of or alongside a Pell Grant

Completing FAFSA can result in several types of aid offers. Federal loans (Stafford loans, PLUS loans) are available to many students regardless of financial need. Federal Work-Study positions allow you to earn money while in school. Some schools also offer institutional aid from their own funds based on your FAFSA information.

A student might receive a Pell Grant plus a subsidized loan plus a work-study offer all from the same FAFSA submission. Another student might receive only loans and work-study if their Expected Family Contribution is too high for a Pell Grant. The FAFSA form is the tool that determines all of these possibilities.

How to know if you will receive a Pell Grant

After you submit FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that shows your Expected Family Contribution. You can use this number to estimate whether you will may have access to for a Pell Grant — the government publishes the income thresholds each year, and you can compare your EFC to that threshold. However, your school's financial aid office will give you the final answer when they send your aid package.

Your aid package will list exactly what you have been offered: the Pell Grant amount (if any), loans, work-study, and any other aid. This is the official word on what you will receive. If you do not see a Pell Grant listed, contact your school's financial aid office to understand why and what other options may be available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit FAFSA every year?

Yes. FAFSA is an annual application. You must resubmit it each school year to continue receiving federal aid, including a Pell Grant. Your financial situation may change from year to year, which affects the aid you receive.

Can I get a Pell Grant without going to college?

No. Pell Grants are for undergraduate students enrolled in degree or certificate programs at accredited schools. You must be admitted to and enrolled in an may be able to access program to receive one.

What if my FAFSA shows I do not may have access to for a Pell Grant?

You may still receive other federal aid such as loans or work-study. Contact your school's financial aid office to review your full aid package and discuss other options that may help you pay for school.

Does FAFSA tell me how much Pell Grant money I will get?

Your Student Aid Report shows your Expected Family Contribution, which helps determine Pell Grant may be able to access, but your school calculates the exact amount based on your cost of attendance and enrollment status. Your aid package from the school will show the final Pell Grant amount.