What Is the Pell Grant?

Many students seek out financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and even loans to help them pay for the high cost of a college education. During the 2019-20 academic year, the office of Federal Student Aid reported that more than 18 million candidates submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA is used to award students institutional scholarships and government aid, including the Federal Pell Grant — an income-based award for undergraduates with exceptional financial need.

This guide provides an overview of the Pell Grant, such as information on eligibility and the maximum award amount. You’ll also learn how to apply for a Pell Grant.

Like a scholarship, the Federal Pell Grant gives students money for college that does not need to be repaid. The grant is named after Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell, who worked with education policy expert Lois Rice in 1972 to develop the award as part of a reform package for the 1965 Higher Education Act.

Many university administrators today regard the Pell Grant as a core part of a student’s FAFSA package. Originally created to help low- and middle-income people pursue higher education, Pell Grant eligibility depends on an applicant’s financial need.

The Education Department recently expanded the Pell Grant to benefit students in prison.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

According to the office of Federal Student Aid, the maximum Pell Grant amount for the 2022-23 award year — which spans July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023 — is $6,895. Both your expected family contribution (EFC) and your college’s cost of attendance (COA) affect how much federal funding you can receive.

Additional factors include the total time you plan to spend in school and your enrollment status as a part- or full-time student.

Students may be able to earn up to 150% of the maximum Pell Grant amount by enrolling in a summer or winter session in addition to the traditional fall and spring terms.

The dependents of military personnel and public safety officers also qualify for extra funding if their parent or guardian died while on duty. In this case, the candidate must be less than 24 years old and attending college at least part time.

Your college’s financial aid department makes calculations to determine your FAFSA eligibility. Specifically, administrators will subtract your EFC from the COA, using the result to determine how much need-based aid — mostly grants and work-study funds — you can receive.

This number is then subtracted from the school’s COA to determine your non-need-based aid, which includes most federal loans.

Below are the three major Pell Grant requirements:

How much your family contributes to your education directly impacts your Pell Grant eligibility. According to the office of Federal Student Aid, you’re eligible for the Pell Grant so long as your EFC is below $5,846 for 2022-23.

The Federal Pell Grant primarily supports undergraduate students who do not already possess a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. Under certain conditions, educators enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification program may apply for the award. Lifetime restrictions mean that you can access Pell Grant funding for a total of six years, or 12 semesters.

Students must renew the FAFSA annually. To continue receiving financial aid, you need to demonstrate satisfactory progress toward your degree or certificate. The federal government requires you to repay the Pell Grant amount for the award year if you drop out of school.

The office of Federal Student Aid accepts Pell Grant submissions starting October 1 (for aid the following academic year), with varying deadlines based on the student’s state and institution.

Make sure to apply for aid as soon as possible, since some awards, including work-study funds, deplete on a first-come, first-served basis. Fortunately, the Pell Grant is portable, meaning a student’s eligibility and award amount typically remain the same for all 6,500 colleges and universities that accept the FAFSA.

The Pell Grant application is part of the general FAFSA process. You must create a FAFSA ID and gather all the necessary documents, such as your proof of citizenship or eligible non-citizenship; federal tax returns; and reports of cash, bank account totals, and investments.

Next, read the directions carefully and fill out all required information in each FAFSA section before signing and submitting your application.

Upon completing the FAFSA, you’ll receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to check your application status. Within three weeks, you’ll get an official student aid report that details the specific awards you may accept or reject.

For more information on how to secure a Pell Grant, consult the office of Federal Student Aid.

Editor’s Note: This article contains general information and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.

Feature Image: SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Images