Federal Pell Grant

Eligibility Criteria

To receive a 2023–2024 federal Pell Grant, you must

  • complete the FAFSA;
  • have an expected family contribution (EFC) of 6656 or less;
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen;
  • be enrolled in a first-time bachelor’s degree program;
  • maintain satisfactory academic progress; and
  • complete any verification requirements, if selected.
    • Changes to your eligibility after the verification process or a review of changed FAFSA data may result in changes to the amount of offered Pell Grant.

General Pell Grant Information

  • Congress determines the maximum Pell Grant—the Department of Education uses the FAFSA to determine who is eligible to receive the grant.
  • A Pell Grant alone will not cover tuition and fees. 
  • Pell-eligible students who enroll in a summer semester may qualify for additional summer Pell Grant funding
  • Amounts vary year-to-year based on the FAFSA data and federal grant funding.
  • Students of a parent or legal guardian who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11 may qualify for additional Pell Grant.

Common Pell Grant Questions

How much can I receive?
  • The amount of Pell Grant funding a student is eligible for is affected by their enrollment status as a full-time, half-time or students enrolled less than half-time.
  • 2022–2023 Pell Grants range from $692 to $6,895 for full-time students with an eligible EFC.
  • Students may receive no more than 12 full-time semesters’ worth of Pell Grant funding (or the equivalent in less than full-time status).
    • Students can log into studentaid.gov to review how much Pell Grant funding they have received.
How do I increase my Pell Grant?

If your family has a change in financial circumstances, students can submit a Family Contribution Appeal to have their grant eligibility reviewed with respect to the changes.