The Pell Grant is a financial aid program from the federal government designed to help undergraduates from low- and middle-income families afford higher education.
Pell Grants don’t require you to repay the money, and they don’t charge interest, as they aren't student loans.
As of 2026, students will also be allowed to use the Pell Grant for some short-term workforce training programs.
Here’s what to know about Pell Grants, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.
How much is a Pell Grant?
The maximum Pell Grant award is $7,395 per academic year, though the amount you could receive depends on:
- Your level of financial need.
- Your college’s cost of attendance.
- Your part- or full-time student status.
- If you’ll be enrolled for a full academic year, or for a shorter period.
You can receive Pell Grants for 12 semesters, or roughly six years.
In some situations, you could be eligible for a larger Pell award — up to 150% of your scheduled award. For example, if you're awarded a $4,000 Pell Grant and receive the full amount during the fall and spring semesters, you may be able to receive up to an additional $2,000 if you enroll in summer classes during the same award year. Your actual summer Pell Grant depends on the number of credits you're enrolled in and your school's academic calendar, so not every student will qualify for the full 150%.
Pell Grant eligibility
To qualify for a Pell Grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (a U.S. national, permanent resident or refugee).
- Have a valid Social Security number.
- Have a high school diploma or GED.
- Be pursuing an undergraduate degree or postbaccalaureate teacher certification program at a U.S. institution.
- Don't have a bachelor's, graduate or professional degree (with the exception of eligible certification programs).
- Demonstrate significant financial need, as determined by the information you submit on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
To receive a Pell Grant, you must complete the FAFSA. Your Student Aid Index (SAI), along with other eligibility criteria, helps determine whether you’re eligible and how much you may receive. Your Pell Grant award also depends on factors like your enrollment status, your school's cost of attendance and your financial circumstances (like family income), as reported on the FAFSA.
Students cannot receive a Pell Grant if their non-federal grants and scholarships already cover their entire cost of attendance.
You can receive funding from only one school at a time, so if you’re dually enrolled, you’ll qualify for funding to attend one of them.
How to apply for a Pell Grant
There’s no specific application for the Pell Grant. Instead, your Pell eligibility and the amount you receive is determined by financial need, which is calculated with information you provide on the FAFSA.
"Pell grants are free money, they don't have to be paid back," says Michele Zampini, The Institute for College Access & Success' associate vice president of federal policy and advocacy.
"I know the last thing anyone wants to spend their time on is navigating a government form, but there is a lot of good, free help available through high schools and through other community organizations," Zampini told NerdWallet.
You must submit a new FAFSA ahead of each year you’ll be enrolled in school to maintain Pell eligibility. NerdWallet suggests accepting any grants, scholarships and work-study opportunities first before considering student loans.
Zampini explains that by filling out the FAFSA you aren't committing to any loan you might be eligible for. The FAFSA does not require you to take on any debt. The FAFSA is, however, the key to other free money like college and state grant programs.
Zampini explains that by filling out the FAFSA you aren't committing to any loan you might be eligible for. The FAFSA does not require you to take on any debt. The FAFSA is, however, the key to other free money like college and state grant programs.
» MORE: Guide to college grants
How to estimate your Pell Grant award
Knowing how much financial aid you may qualify for can help you decide where to attend college. Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator tool on the Education Department’s website to check your potential Pell award.
There’s no strict income cutoff needed to qualify for the Pell Grant. Instead, your eligibility is based on your SAI, which is a number between -1,500 and 999,999 that you receive after submitting your FAFSA. A lower SAI indicates a higher financial need.
For example, if you have an SAI of -1500, you’ll likely qualify for the maximum Pell Grant award of $7,395. Once a school offers you admission, it will send a financial aid award letter that includes your official Pell Grant award. Contact your college’s financial aid office with any questions.
How do I receive my Pell Grant?
You receive Pell Grant funds at the start of each term. For example, if your grant is $4,000, you’ll get $2,000 in the fall and $2,000 in the spring.
Your college will first apply funds from a Pell Grant toward your tuition, fees and on-campus housing costs. Any leftover Pell Grant money is typically paid to you to cover other education expenses, such as textbooks, supplies, transportation and off-campus rent.
"Pell is available to help with the full spectrum of the costs associated with a college degree," Zampini says.
Do I have to repay a Pell Grant?
In most cases, you’ll never need to repay a Pell Grant. But there are a few scenarios in which you may have to repay some or all of your grant award:
- You withdrew early from your academic program.
- You switched from full-time to part-time enrollment.
- You got outside scholarships and grants that reduced your need for federal financial aid.
- You received Pell Grant money from more than one school at the same time.
Your school will notify you if you must repay any part of the grant. Upon receiving notification, you’ll have 45 days to pay in full or establish a repayment plan. That’s crucial: If you don’t repay or make an arrangement, you may lose your eligibility for any federal student aid in the future.
Incarcerated students are eligible for Pell Grants
Incarcerated people — those in juvenile justice facilities and local, state and federal correctional facilities — can use Pell Grants to pay for Prison Education Programs (PEPs) that lead to a professional certificate, associate degree or bachelor’s degree from a partner university.
To be considered for a Pell Grant, incarcerated students must complete the FAFSA and meet the program's general eligibility requirements. Because internet access is often limited in correctional facilities, incarcerated students may need assistance completing and submitting the FAFSA. Participating colleges typically work with correctional facilities to help students complete the application — either electronically or on paper — and determine their eligibility for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants.
‘Workforce Pell’ starting in 2026
Students may now be eligible to use the Pell Grant for short-term job training programs. The grant expansion — known as “Workforce Pell” — is the result of a provision in President Donald Trump’s 2025 budget reconciliation bill.
Not all workforce programs will be eligible for the Pell Grant. Program providers must meet certain guidelines. English language classes and study abroad won’t count.
Students must submit the FAFSA to qualify for the Workforce Pell.
Other ways to pay for college
Even if you get the maximum $7,395 Pell award, it’s probably not enough to cover all of your college costs for the year.
Use other financial aid to fill in the gaps. Submitting the FAFSA unlocks additional funding options, like federal student loans, work-study and scholarships. Your state may have its own financial aid application you can submit to qualify for state-based financial aid.
Prioritize financial aid you don’t have to repay, like scholarships and grants, before turning to federal student loans. Private student loans should be a last resort to fill in remaining gaps.
» MORE: How to pay for college
Frequently asked questions about Pell Grants
Can you lose a Pell Grant?
You can lose your Pell Grant if you fail to meet your school's satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards, exhaust your lifetime eligibility, or become ineligible by withdrawing from classes or changing your enrollment status or financial circumstances.
Can graduate students get Pell Grants?
Generally, no, graduate and doctoral students are not eligible for Pell Grants. Pell Grants are for undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree. The main exception is students enrolled in certain eligible postbaccalaureate teacher certification or licensure programs that do not lead to a graduate degree.
Can undocumented students get Pell Grants?
No, undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid including Pell Grants. Undocumented students may be eligible for state or institutional aid, depending on where they live and where they are enrolled. Talk to your financial aid office to learn more.
Can you get both a Pell Grant and student loans?
Yes, you can get both a Pell Grant and a student loan. You can take out either a federal or private student loan if you have a Pell Grant. Some students find they need both grants and loans to cover the cost of college. Pell Grants, unlike student loans, do not need to be paid back. You must complete the FAFSA each year you are enrolled to be eligible for both Pell Grants and federal student loans. NerdWallet recommends using all of the grants you are eligible for before you turn to student loans.
What is the maximum Pell Grant?
The maximum Pell Grant is $7,395. How much you receive, if you are Pell eligible, is determined by your SAI, if you're enrolled part- or full-time, and the cost of attending your college.
