Federal PELL Grant Program (Title IV Aid)
The PELL Grant program is designed to help low-income students access a college education by providing grants to help them pay for tuition, books, transportation, and living expenses. Unlike loans, grants do not require repayment.
The amount of money a student will receive from the PELL Grant varies year by year and is set by the US Department of Education. Students must complete the FAFSA for each academic year in which they wish to receive aid.
For the 2023-2024 academic year, the maximum amount a student can receive in Pell Grant funds for two full-time semesters is $7,395. However, this amount can vary based on individual student need and enrollment status. Students may be eligible for full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, or less than half-time credit load.
To be eligible, students must graduate from high school or a GED program, be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, be an undergraduate student enrolled in an eligible program of study, and have NOT already earned a bachelor’s degree. The student may either attend school part-time or full-time.
Students who are enrolled on a part-time basis either fall or spring term will have the unused portion of PELL Grant awards rolled over for the summer term.
Students who are enrolled on a full-time basis for both fall and spring terms can receive an additional PELL Grant for the summer term, but only if enrolled in at least 6 SHCs.
The Department of Education limits the amount of PELL Grant funds a student may receive over their life time to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters. Students who attend part-time will take longer to reach their Life Time Eligibility Used (LEU).