The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to eligible undergraduate students working on their first bachelor’s degree program who demonstrate financial need. You are automatically considered for it when you complete the FAFSA. The maximum award amount varies – based on eligibility amounts calculated by Federal Student Aid. The Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid.

Starting in 2024-2025 the federal Pell calculation will be based on enrollment intensity. Awards will vary based on estimated college costs and the number of credit hours you are enrolled in. Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 semesters or the equivalent. The maximum Pell Grant for the 2024-25 academic year is $7,395.

Enrollment intensity is a percentage that represents how many units you are taking compared to a full-time course load. Your Pell Grant award will now be calculated based on this enrollment intensity percentage, rather than the old enrollment level categories. This new enrollment intensity system provides a more flexible and accurate way to calculate your Pell Grant, tailoring the award amount to your actual enrollment level rather than fitting into broad categories. Please keep in mind, the chart below is only for the Federal Pell Grant:

Year-Round Pell Grant

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 allows a student to receive Federal Pell Grant funds for up to 150% of the student’s Pell Grant Scheduled Award for an award year. Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, an eligible student may now receive a full Federal Pell Grant for summer 2018, even if they received a full Federal Pell Grant during the fall and spring semesters. Year-Round Pell (YRP) allows students to receive up to 150% of a regular grant award over the course of the academic year so that they can continue taking classes in the summer and finish their degrees faster than they would otherwise.

To be eligible for the additional Pell Grant funds, the student must meet all general eligibility requirements to receive financial aid for the payment period and must be enrolled at least half time (6 credits) in the payment period. Eligible students may receive up to three Pell disbursements (150%) in one academic year. Dropping classes may impact a student’s eligibility, and may result in a balance due if funds need to be reversed.

Pell Grant recipients may take advantage of this new regulation to earn their degree faster. Students should consult with their academic advisor to develop a manageable course load for the shorter summer term.

Important Note: The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by a federal law to 600%. If a student's lifetime eligibility used (LEU) equals or exceeds 600%, the student may no longer receive Pell Grant funding. Students who meet all Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements and have at least 75% of their lifetime Pell Grant eligibility remaining at the end of fall 2017 semester are eligible for YRP consideration. The maximum period that students may receive the Federal Pell Grant is the equivalent of twelve full-time semesters.

Pell disbursements are tracked at NSLDS. For complete information about the Federal Pell Grant program, visit studentaid.ed.gov.