Federal Pell Grant
Providing need-based grants.
Are you eligible?
You may be eligible for financial assistance under the Federal Pell Grant program. Unlike a loan, funding from the Federal Pell Grant does not need to be repaid, except under certain circumstances.
Explore the Federal Pell Grant.
The Federal Pell Grant provides need-based grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need as determined by the Department of Education calculations based on the information provided on the completed FAFSA. The awarded amount is dependent upon financial need, cost of attendance, enrollment status, and whether the student plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. The Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not need to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Students may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
Students may find an estimate of their Federal Pell eligibility on the Pell Awarding Chart. In order to find this estimate the student will need to know their Expected Family Contribution (EFC from FAFSA) and the number of credit hours they plan to take in the semester. Please keep in mind that the Pell Chart is only an estimation of funds. Several other factors may contribute to a student's eligibility including, but not limited to, withdrawal or failure to attend classes, completion of the first academic year, and failure to meet satisfactory academic progress.
To determine your eligibility for this grant, you must first submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Once you've done that you'll work with a financial aid advisor to find out how much you qualify for and when you'll receive it.
A student's eligibility is based on the number of credit hours for which they are registered on the Pell Lock-In date for a particular semester. Please refer to the information below regarding the current Pell Lock-In dates. Get more information about the Federal Pell Grant.
Important Opportunity ⇒ Year Round Pell
Beginning in the 2017–2018 school year, the Department of Education now allows students to receive up to 150% of their annual Pell Grant entitlement. This means students who utilize 100% of their funding may receive additional funding to continue taking Title IV eligible courses. Percentages used are based on the number of credits taken each semester.
| Number of Credits | Percentage Used |
|---|---|
| 1 to 5 | 12.50% |
| 6 to 8 | 25.00% |
| 9 to 11 | 37.50% |
| 12+ | 50.00% |
Starting in 2023–2024, there is no longer a minimally required number of credit hours to receive the additional Pell Grant funding. Below are examples of students enrolled in varying numbers of credit hours and the percentages of Pell Grant utilization.
| Summer Semester | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Total % Used for Year | Additional Pell Grant Used | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student A | 7 credit hours (25%) | 14 credit hours (50%) | 12 credit hours (50%) | 125.00% | Yes |
| Student B | 10 credit hours (37.5%) | 8 credit hours (25%) | 6 credit hours (25%) | 87.50% | No |
| Student C | 12 credit hours (50%) | 12 credit hours (50%) | 2 credit hours (12.5%) | 112.50% | Yes |
Review additional information.
The Pell Lock-In date is the date on which we determine the number of credit hours that you are registered for in a particular semester. This number will be used to determine your Pell Grant eligibility. Changes made to your schedule or failure to attend classes may decrease your eligibility.
The Pell Lock-In Date is important because changes to your schedule or failure to attend classes may decrease your eligibility and you may have to repay a portion or all of the grant funds that you were initially awarded. It is important that you consult with a financial aid advisor before you drop or withdraw from a course or if a Late Start class is dropped, withdrawn from or canceled after the Pell Lock-In date.
Semester aid posted to the your account that is in excess of on-campus charges will generally be mailed to you within 14 days of the Pell Lock-In date.