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 2025-2026 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.
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.
A student’s financial aid award will be reduced proportionately if you attend less than full-time. Prorations occur for each credit hour less than 12.
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 or 600%. Students who attend part-time will take longer to reach their Life Time Eligibility Used (LEU).