The Basic Requirements for a Pell Grant

To receive a Pell Grant, you must be a U.S. citizen or an may be able to access noncitizen, enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program, and have a valid Social Security number. You also cannot be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on a federal grant. The federal government does not set a single income cutoff — instead, your may be able to access depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is calculated from your FAFSA answers.

Most students with family incomes under $60,000 per year will have some Pell Grant may be able to access, but students from higher-income families may also may have access to if they have dependents, unusual expenses, or other circumstances that reduce their EFC. The only way to know your actual may be able to access is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and receive your Student Aid Report (SAR).

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen, have a valid Social Security number, and be enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program to receive a Pell Grant.
  • Pell Grant may be able to access is based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), not a fixed income limit, and is calculated from your FAFSA responses.
  • You cannot be in default on a federal student loan, owe a refund on a federal grant, or have a drug conviction on your record to receive a Pell Grant.
  • Your school's cost of attendance and your enrollment status (full-time or part-time) affect the amount you receive, not whether you receive one.

Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen to receive a Pell Grant. If you are not a citizen, you may still be may be able to access if you are a permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee, an asylee, a Cuban/Haitian entrant, or a victim of human trafficking. You must have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) or other immigration documentation to prove your status.

Undocumented immigrants, temporary visa holders (F-1, H-1B, or similar), and those with pending asylum cases are not may be able to access for federal Pell Grants. Some states offer their own grant programs for undocumented students; check your state's higher education agency website to learn what may be available in your state.

Income and Family Contribution Limits

The federal government does not publish a specific income limit for Pell Grants. Instead, may be able to access depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is a number calculated from your FAFSA. The EFC is based on your family's income, assets, family size, and number of family members in college. A lower EFC means a higher Pell Grant amount.

In general, students from families earning under $60,000 per year are very likely to receive a Pell Grant. Students from families earning $60,000 to $100,000 may receive a smaller grant depending on family size and other factors. Students from families earning over $100,000 rarely receive a Pell Grant, but it is not impossible if they have multiple dependents or unusual circumstances.

The maximum Pell Grant amount changes each year and is set by Congress. For the 2024–2025 school year, the maximum is $7,395. Your actual award will be less if your school's cost of attendance is lower or if your EFC is higher.

Enrollment Status and Program Requirements

You must be enrolled at least half-time (usually 6 credit hours per term) in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at a school that participates in the federal student aid program. Half-time enrollment is the minimum; you can receive a Pell Grant while enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours) or part-time (between 6 and 11 credit hours).

Graduate students, students in non-degree programs, and students taking only online courses through schools that do not participate in federal aid are not may be able to access. Your school's financial aid office can confirm whether your program qualifies.

Disqualifying Factors and Criminal Convictions

You are not may be able to access for a Pell Grant if you are in default on a federal student loan, owe a refund on a federal grant, or have a drug conviction on your record. A drug conviction disqualifies you only if it occurred while you were receiving federal student aid and only for a set period: one year for a first possession offense, two years for a second offense, and indefinitely for a third or subsequent offense or for any sale offense.

If you have a drug conviction, you can regain may be able to access by completing a drug rehabilitation program that meets federal standards. Contact your school's financial aid office or the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) to learn about programs in your state.

How Your School and Enrollment Status Affect Your Award

Your Pell Grant amount depends on three things: your EFC, your school's cost of attendance, and whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time. Two students with the same EFC may receive different grant amounts if they attend schools with different costs or if one is enrolled full-time and the other part-time.

If you attend a school with a lower cost of attendance, your Pell Grant will be smaller because the grant is meant to cover part of your school costs, not to give you money beyond what you need. If you enroll part-time, your grant is reduced proportionally — a student enrolled half-time receives half the full-time grant amount.

Maintaining Your Pell Grant may be able to access

Once you receive a Pell Grant, you must maintain your may be able to access to keep receiving it in future years. You must remain enrolled at least half-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress (usually a 2.0 GPA or higher, depending on your school), and continue to meet citizenship and income requirements.

You must also complete a new FAFSA each year. Your may be able to access and award amount may change based on changes in your family's income, family size, or school costs. If you fall behind on a federal student loan or default on a grant refund, you will lose your Pell Grant may be able to access until the debt is resolved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to repay a Pell Grant?

No. A Pell Grant is a gift and does not have to be repaid. However, if you withdraw from school early in the term, your school may ask you to return part of the grant. If you received a grant refund that you were not supposed to receive, you must repay it.

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

Possibly. There is no fixed income cutoff. Your may be able to access depends on your Expected Family Contribution, which accounts for family size, number of dependents, and other factors. The only way to know is to complete the FAFSA and see your Student Aid Report.

What if I am a permanent resident but do not have a Social Security number yet?

You must have a valid Social Security number to receive a Pell Grant. If you are a permanent resident without one, contact your local Social Security office to apply. You can complete the FAFSA while waiting, but you will not receive aid until your Social Security number is added to your file.

Can I receive a Pell Grant while taking online classes?

Only if your school participates in federal student aid and your program is considered an may be able to access program. Some schools that offer online programs do not participate in federal aid. Contact your school's financial aid office to confirm whether your online program qualifies.

What happens to my Pell Grant if I change schools?

Your Pell Grant follows you to your new school if the new school participates in federal student aid. However, your award amount may change based on the new school's cost of attendance. Contact the financial aid office at your new school to update your information and receive your new award letter.