The Federal Pell Grant offers assistance to high need undergraduate students earning their first bachelor's degree who meet the federal government's eligibility formula. The Pell Grant is funded each year by Congress, which sets the minimum and maximum award amounts. The Pell Grant does not have to be repaid.
To determine eligibility, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted for each school year.
Pell Grant annual awards are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the FAFSA,
and eligibility for each semester are based on actual enrollment hours. Pell Grants
range from $740 to $7395 for the 2025-2025 school year. Pell will be pro-rated when
attending less than full-time per term (12 credit hours). For example, if attending
6 credit hours, a student will receive 50% of the full-time award amount. An eligible
student may receive up to 50% of their annual amount for each Fall, Spring, and/or
Summer semester, not to exceed 150% per award year. Grant amounts depend on a student's
SAI, enrollment status, and length of time attended during the academic year.
A student cannot receive a Federal Pell Grant from more than one school for the same
period of time.
Pell award amount in fall and/or spring will be determined based on the Pell Census Date (11:59pm on the fifth day of classes). If enrollment increases after the Pell Census Date, the Pell award will not increase. It is important that your schedule contains all the credit hours you need to take for the term before the Pell Census Date. If enrollment decreases due to being withdrawn, failure to earn a passing grade, or failure to begin participation in class(es), then the Pell award may be reduced. Summer term does not use a Pell Census Date and Pell award amount is based on actual enrollment.
As a result of federal regulations enacted in the Budget Control Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-25) and the Consolidations Appropriations Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-74), students may receive a Pell award for a maximum of 600% which translates to 12 semesters (6 annual awards). You can view your LEU percentage through studentaid.gov by navigating to "My Aid."
Undergraduate students can continue eligibility in the Pell Grant program as long as they have not earned their first bachelor's degree, received less than 600% LEU of Pell Grant, are maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress, and continue to meet the standard formula as determined by the FAFSA each year.
Visit the federal website for more information.
Once all award requirements have been met, your financial aid will be credited to your student account. For more information, please visit Applying for Aid.
