Graduate students cannot receive Pell Grants

Pell Grants are restricted to undergraduate students only. The U.S. Department of Education defines undergraduate study as work toward a first bachelor's degree or certain other first credentials. Graduate and professional degree programs — master's degrees, doctoral degrees, law degrees, medical degrees — fall outside the Pell Grant program entirely.

This is a hard boundary, not a case-by-case decision. Your financial need, your school's cost, or your personal circumstances do not change this rule. If you are enrolled in a graduate program, you cannot receive a Pell Grant, regardless of how much aid you need.

Key Takeaways

  • Pell Grants are for undergraduate students only; graduate students are ineligible by program design.
  • Graduate students may borrow through federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS Loans, which have higher limits than undergraduate loans.
  • Many graduate programs offer assistantships, tuition waivers, or scholarships funded by the school or external organizations.
  • Graduate students should complete the FAFSA to determine what federal loans and school-based aid may be available.

What counts as graduate study for federal aid purposes

The Department of Education considers you a graduate student if you are pursuing a degree or certificate beyond a bachelor's degree. This includes master's degrees (MA, MS, MBA, MEd), doctoral degrees (PhD, EdD), and professional degrees (MD, DDS, JD). It also includes some certificate programs that require a bachelor's degree as entry.

Some students pursue a second bachelor's degree. If this is your first bachelor's degree, you remain an undergraduate for Pell Grant purposes. If you already hold a bachelor's degree and are pursuing a second one, you are ineligible for Pell Grants.

Your school's financial aid office can confirm your status if you are uncertain. They use your degree program and enrollment status to determine which aid programs you can access.

Federal loan options for graduate students

While Pell Grants are off the table, graduate students can borrow through federal loan programs. The most common option is the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, which allows graduate students to borrow up to $20,500 per year (as of 2024; this amount may change). Unlike undergraduate unsubsidized loans, interest accrues while you are in school.

Graduate students can also take out a Direct PLUS Loan (also called a Grad PLUS Loan). This loan has no annual cap — you can borrow up to your school's cost of attendance minus other aid you receive. PLUS loans require a credit check, and interest rates are higher than unsubsidized loans.

Both loan types are federal loans, meaning they come with income-driven repayment plans and potential forgiveness programs. Private loans are another option but typically offer fewer protections and repayment flexibility.

Graduate assistantships and school-based aid

Many graduate programs offer assistantships — positions where you work for the school in exchange for a stipend, tuition waiver, or both. These include teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and administrative assistantships. Assistantships vary widely by program and school; some cover full tuition while others provide only a partial waiver plus a small monthly stipend.

Graduate schools also award scholarships and fellowships from their own funds or from external sources. These are often merit-based rather than need-based, though some do consider financial need. Your school's graduate financial aid office can tell you what is available in your program.

Employer tuition information is another source. If you work while studying, your employer may reimburse tuition costs. This benefit varies by employer and is often capped at a certain amount per year.

How to find out what aid you can receive

Complete the FAFSA (Free process for Federal Student Aid) even though you are a graduate student. The FAFSA determines your may be able to access for federal loans and may unlock school-based aid. Your school uses FAFSA information to build your financial aid package.

Contact your school's graduate financial aid office directly. They can tell you what assistantships, scholarships, and waivers are available in your program and how the process works for them. They can also explain your loan options and help you understand the total cost of your degree.

If you are considering graduate school and cost is a concern, ask programs about funding before you enroll. Some programs fund most or all admitted students; others fund very few. This information should factor into your decision about which program to attend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Pell Grant if I am pursuing a graduate certificate?

It depends on the certificate. If the certificate is a first credential and does not require a bachelor's degree to enter, you may be an undergraduate for aid purposes. If the certificate requires a bachelor's degree as entry, you are a graduate student and cannot receive a Pell Grant. Your school's financial aid office can clarify your status based on the specific program.

What if I am working on a master's degree part-time?

Your enrollment status (full-time or part-time) does not change your ineligibility for Pell Grants. Graduate students cannot receive Pell Grants regardless of how many credits they take. You can still borrow federal loans and may be may be able to access for school-based aid.

Can I use leftover Pell Grant money from my undergraduate years for graduate school?

No. Pell Grant funds are tied to your undergraduate enrollment. Once you graduate or move into a graduate program, any remaining Pell Grant may be able to access is gone. You cannot carry it forward or use it for graduate study.

Are there federal grants for graduate students besides Pell Grants?

Federal grants for graduate students are rare and program-specific. Some fields like nursing or teaching have targeted grant programs. Your school's graduate financial aid office can tell you whether any federal grants explore to your field of study. Most graduate aid comes through loans, assistantships, or school-funded scholarships.