Description

Federal Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate or professional degree. (In some cases, however, a student enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification program or an eligible workforce program might receive Federal Pell Grant.) A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid.

How to Apply: You start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Schools use the information on the FAFSA form to determine your edibility for a Pell Grant, and if so, how much you're eligible to receive. You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year you're in school to stay eligible for federal student aid, including Pell Grants awards.

It's important to understand the cost of attendance at your school of choice so that you can understand how much aid you might need. The cost of attendance of a school program is the annual cost advertised by the school before financial aid is applied. Tuition and fees, housing and meals, and other additional education-related expenses (both direct and indirect) are included and may vary based on personal choices. Once you know the cost of attendance, you can better plan to cover your educational expenses.

2026-2027 Award Year: The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2026-2027 award year (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027).

Deadline dates are subject to change; please check website to verify.