Graduate students cannot receive Pell Grants

Pell Grants are limited to undergraduate students only. If you are pursuing a master's degree, doctoral degree, or other graduate-level credential, you are not may be able to access for a Pell Grant, regardless of your financial need or the cost of your program.

This is a federal rule set by the U.S. Department of Education. The Pell Grant program was designed specifically to help low-income undergraduates pay for their first bachelor's degree. Graduate study falls outside that scope, even at institutions that serve both undergraduate and graduate students.

If you are a graduate student looking for federal funding, other loan and grant programs exist, but they operate under different rules and have different limits than Pell Grants.

Key Takeaways

  • Pell Grants are for undergraduate students only; graduate students cannot receive them under any circumstances.
  • Graduate students may borrow through federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Direct PLUS Loans, which have higher borrowing limits than undergraduate loans.
  • Some graduate programs offer institutional grants, scholarships, or assistantships funded by the school itself, separate from federal Pell funding.
  • Your school's financial aid office can tell you which federal and institutional funding sources you may use as a graduate student.

What funding sources are open to graduate students instead

Graduate students can borrow through the Direct Unsubsidized Loan program. Unlike undergraduate unsubsidized loans, graduate unsubsidized loans do not have an annual borrowing cap — you can borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus any other aid you receive. Interest accrues while you are in school.

Graduate students can also borrow through the Direct PLUS Loan program, which allows you to borrow additional amounts beyond unsubsidized loans. PLUS loans require a credit check and have a higher interest rate than unsubsidized loans. You must complete a PLUS loan process separate from the FAFSA.

Some graduate programs offer their own funding: tuition waivers, scholarships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships. These are funded by the university or department, not by federal grant programs. Your program's financial aid office or graduate coordinator can tell you what is available in your field.

How to find out what you can borrow as a graduate student

Start by completing the FAFSA (Free process for Federal Student Aid), even though you will not receive a Pell Grant. The FAFSA determines your may be able to access for federal loans and tells your school your financial need. You must submit the FAFSA before your school can offer you any federal loan funds.

After you submit the FAFSA, log into your school's financial aid portal or contact the graduate financial aid office directly. They will send you a financial aid package that lists the loans and grants you are may be able to access for. This package will show your annual loan limits and any institutional aid your program offers.

If you are considering a PLUS loan, you can explore through the federal student aid website or through your school's financial aid office. The process takes about 10 minutes and includes a credit check.

The difference between graduate loans and undergraduate Pell Grants

Pell Grants are gifts — you do not repay them. Graduate loans must be repaid with interest, starting either while you are in school (unsubsidized loans) or after you leave school (PLUS loans). This is a major difference in cost.

Pell Grants also have an annual maximum amount set by Congress each year. Graduate loans have no annual cap — you can borrow the full cost of your program minus other aid. This means graduate students can borrow much more, but they also owe much more after graduation.

Graduate students may also have access to institutional scholarships or assistantships that undergraduate students do not. These vary widely by school and program. Some graduate programs cover tuition entirely through assistantships; others offer little beyond federal loans.

What happens if you were a Pell Grant recipient as an undergraduate

If you received Pell Grants during your undergraduate years, that does not carry over to graduate school. Your Pell Grant may be able to access ended when you completed your bachelor's degree or stopped being an undergraduate student.

You will need to reapply for federal aid as a graduate student by submitting a new FAFSA. Your graduate school financial aid office will use that FAFSA to determine your may be able to access for graduate loans and any institutional aid your program offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a Pell Grant if I am working on a second bachelor's degree?

No. Pell Grants are limited to students pursuing their first bachelor's degree. If you already have a bachelor's degree and are working toward another one, you are not may be able to access for a Pell Grant, even if you meet the financial need requirement.

What if my graduate program is very expensive — can I borrow more than the loan limits?

You can borrow the full cost of attendance through unsubsidized loans, with no annual cap. If that is not enough, you can explore for a Direct PLUS Loan, which allows you to borrow additional amounts. Your school's financial aid office can tell you the total you are may be able to access to borrow.

Do graduate assistantships count as financial aid?

Assistantships are employment, not financial aid. They provide a stipend and often cover tuition, but they are separate from federal loans and grants. If you receive an assistantship, your school will factor that into your financial aid package when calculating how much you can borrow.

Can I use my Pell Grant from undergraduate school to pay for graduate school?

No. Pell Grants must be used during the academic year they are awarded. You cannot carry over unused Pell Grant funds from undergraduate years to graduate school. Any Pell Grant money you received was for your undergraduate education only.