How the Pell Grant Is Calculated
The Federal Pell Grant is the largest need-based federal grant for undergraduates. For 2024–2025, the maximum award is $7,395. Your award depends on your SAI, cost of attendance, and enrollment intensity.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Pell Grants are free money — they do not need to be repaid unless you withdraw from school or received funds you were not eligible for. They are grants, not loans.
You can receive Pell Grants for up to 12 semesters (6 years of full-time enrollment equivalent). After that, you are no longer eligible regardless of financial need.
No. Pell Grants are only available to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's or professional degree.
The SAI replaced the EFC starting with the 2024–2025 FAFSA. It is calculated from your family finances to determine federal aid eligibility. A lower SAI means more aid.
Yes. Your Pell Grant cannot exceed your school's Cost of Attendance minus your SAI. At a low-cost school, your grant may be smaller even with a zero SAI.
Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. There is no separate Pell Grant application — your eligibility is automatically calculated from your FAFSA data.