FAFSA Pell Grant Calculator

The maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2025-26 award year is $7,395, with a minimum of $740. Awards are announced by the Department of Education and adjusted approximately by inflation each year. The lifetime eligibility limit is roughly 12 full-time semesters (or 600% of one full Pell year).

Since 2024-25 FAFSA, eligibility uses the Student Aid Index (SAI), which replaced the older Expected Family Contribution (EFC). SAI considers parent income, student income, family size, and tax-filing status. Maximum Pell goes to families below approximately 175% of the federal poverty line for single parents or 225% for other families.

There's no hard cap, but families above ~$80,000–$100,000 AGI for dependent students rarely qualify for any Pell. The lower the income, the higher the Pell. A 4-person dependent family with two parents earning $50,000 typically gets near-maximum Pell; the same family at $90,000 may get only partial or no Pell.

Submit FAFSA as early as possible after October 1 each year for the following academic year. State and institutional priority deadlines are often January-March; some funds are first-come, first-served. Even if you think you don't qualify, file anyway — many states and schools require FAFSA on file for any aid, including merit scholarships.

No — Pell Grants are gift aid that doesn't require repayment. Unlike loans, Pell is not added to your student debt. You may have to repay if you withdraw from school early in the term (Title IV refund rules) or commit fraud on FAFSA, but otherwise it's free money.

Yes — Pell can be used at any Title IV-eligible school, including community colleges (where it often covers full tuition), trade and technical schools, and online programs. The school must be accredited and approved by the Department of Education. Verify the school's eligibility at studentaid.gov.

Beyond Pell: Federal Direct Subsidized Loans (interest-free during school for need-based borrowers), Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans (interest accrues during school but no credit check), Federal Work-Study, FSEOG (additional grant for highest-need students), and the TEACH Grant ($4,000 grant for future teachers in shortage areas). Most state grants also require FAFSA.

Generally no — Federal Pell Grants require US citizenship or eligible noncitizen status (permanent resident, refugee, asylee). However, undocumented students may qualify for state-based aid in California (Cal Grant), Texas (Texas Grant), and other states; check your state's aid agency. DACA recipients are not federally eligible but may qualify for state and institutional aid.