How to Get a Pell Grant: Step-by-Step

What You Need to Do to Get a Pell Grant

To get a Pell Grant, you fill out the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which the U.S. Department of Education uses to decide how much grant money you can receive. The FAFSA opens October 1 each year and stays open through the following June 30. You submit it online at fafsa.gov, and the form asks about your income, assets, family size, and the schools you plan to attend. The Department of Education then calculates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — the amount your family is considered able to pay — and sends that information to the schools you listed. Each school uses that number to determine your Pell Grant amount, which varies based on your EFC, enrollment status (full-time or part-time), and the cost of attendance at that particular school.

You do not explore for a Pell Grant separately. The FAFSA is the single process that determines whether you get one. If you meet the basic requirements — U.S. citizenship or may be able to access noncitizen status, a high school diploma or GED, enrollment in an undergraduate program at a participating school, and financial need — the school's financial aid office will tell you your grant amount after you submit the FAFSA.

Key Takeaways

You submit the FAFSA at fafsa.gov between October 1 and June 30 to be considered for a Pell Grant; there is no separate Pell Grant process.
The FAFSA asks about your income, family size, and assets, and the Department of Education uses this information to calculate how much grant money you may receive.
Your school's financial aid office determines your exact Pell Grant amount based on your Expected Family Contribution, how many credits you take, and the school's cost of attendance.
Pell Grants are only for undergraduate students; you must be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen and enrolled at least half-time at a school that participates in the federal student aid program.

When to Submit the FAFSA

The FAFSA opens on October 1 and closes on June 30 of the following year. You should submit it as early as possible after October 1, because some schools and states distribute aid on a first-come, first-served basis. If you miss the June 30 important date, you cannot receive a Pell Grant for that academic year.

The academic year runs from July 1 to June 30. If you are starting school in the fall, you will submit the FAFSA in the fall of the previous year. For example, if you start in fall 2024, you submit the FAFSA between October 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. If you are already in school and want to renew your Pell Grant for the next year, you submit a new FAFSA each October.

What Information You Need to Gather

Before you start the FAFSA, collect your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. You create an FSA ID at studentaid.gov before you fill out the FAFSA; this is your login for all federal student aid applications and documents.

You will also need tax information. The FAFSA asks about your income from the previous year — if you are filling it out in October 2024, you report your 2023 income. Have your tax return or IRS transcript ready, along with W-2 forms if you worked. If you have not filed taxes yet, you can estimate your income and correct it later. You will also need information about your parents' income and assets if they claim you as a dependent, or your spouse's information if you are married.

If you are unsure whether you are a dependent or independent student, the FAFSA will ask you a series of questions. Most students under age 24 who are not married and do not have children are considered dependents, meaning your parents' financial information is required.

How to Fill Out the FAFSA Online

Go to fafsa.gov and select "Start Your FAFSA." You will create or log into your FSA ID account. The form is divided into sections: personal information, school information, financial information, and dependency status. You can save your progress and come back to it later.

In the school information section, search for and add the schools where you plan to study. You can add up to ten schools. The Department of Education sends your FAFSA results to each school you list, so include every school you are considering, even if you have not decided yet.

For the financial information section, you can link your IRS tax records directly to the FAFSA through a process called the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This automatically fills in your income information and is the fastest and most accurate way to complete this part. If you cannot use the tool, you can enter your information manually.

Once you finish all sections, review your answers and submit the form. You will receive a confirmation number. The Department of Education processes your FAFSA and sends you a Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few days, which shows the information you submitted and your Expected Family Contribution.

What Happens After You Submit

After you submit the FAFSA, each school you listed receives your information. The financial aid office at each school calculates your Pell Grant amount using your Expected Family Contribution, the school's cost of attendance, and whether you are enrolled full-time or part-time. Full-time students receive the maximum grant; part-time students receive a smaller amount.

The school sends you a financial aid package, usually by email or through an online student portal, that shows your Pell Grant amount along with any other aid you may receive, such as loans or other grants. This package is not an offer you have to accept — it is information about what aid is available to you. You can accept the Pell Grant portion, decline it, or accept part of it.

The school then disburses the grant money, usually in two payments per semester or term. Some schools put the money directly into your student account to pay tuition and fees first, then send you the remainder. Others send you a check or deposit the money into your bank account. Ask your school's financial aid office how and when they disburse Pell Grants.

If You Need to Make Changes to Your FAFSA

If your financial situation changes after you submit the FAFSA — for example, you lose a job or your parents' income drops — you can submit a new FAFSA or contact your school's financial aid office to request a professional judgment review. The financial aid office can adjust your Expected Family Contribution based on your changed circumstances and recalculate your Pell Grant.

If you made a mistake on your FAFSA, you can log back into fafsa.gov, make corrections, and resubmit. The Department of Education will process the updated version. Schools use the most recent FAFSA on file, so correcting errors quickly is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to repay a Pell Grant?

No. A Pell Grant is a gift of federal money that does not have to be repaid, unlike a student loan. You keep the grant money even if you leave school, change schools, or do not finish your degree. However, if you withdraw from school partway through a term, your school may recalculate how much of the grant you earned and ask you to return the unearned portion.

What if I do not meet the income limit?

There is no strict income cutoff for a Pell Grant. Your income is one factor, but family size, assets, and the cost of the school you attend also matter. Many students from middle-income families receive Pell Grants. The only way to know if you may have access to is to submit the FAFSA and see what your Expected Family Contribution is.

Can I get a Pell Grant if I am going to graduate school?

No. Pell Grants are only for undergraduate students. If you are pursuing a master's degree or doctoral degree, you may be able to borrow federal graduate student loans, but you cannot receive a Pell Grant. Some graduate programs offer their own grants or assistantships, so check with your program.

What if my school is not on the FAFSA list?

Most accredited colleges and universities participate in the federal student aid program and appear on the FAFSA school search. If your school does not appear, it may not participate, which means you cannot receive a Pell Grant to attend there. Contact your school's admissions office to confirm whether they are a participating institution.

Can I receive a Pell Grant if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or an may be able to access noncitizen to receive a Pell Grant. may be able to access noncitizens include permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain other immigration statuses. The FAFSA will ask about your citizenship status. If you are unsure whether you are may be able to access, contact your school's financial aid office or visit studentaid.gov for a full list of may be able to access statuses.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.