You need to complete the FAFSA to receive a Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant is money from the U.S. Department of Education that does not need to be repaid. To get one, you must fill out the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the only form the federal government uses to decide whether you get a Pell Grant and how much money you receive.

The amount you get depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — a number calculated from your income, assets, family size, and number of family members in college. For the 2024–2025 school year, the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395, but most students receive less. Your school's cost of attendance also matters: a Pell Grant cannot exceed what you actually need to pay for tuition, fees, room, board, and books.

You do not have to repay a Pell Grant, and you can use it at any school that participates in the federal student aid program — nearly all colleges, universities, and trade schools do. The grant follows you if you change schools, but you lose it if you drop below half-time enrollment or if your EFC rises above the federal limit.

Key Takeaways

  • Complete the FAFSA at fafsa.gov between October 1 and June 30 of the school year you plan to attend.
  • You need a Social Security number, proof of citizenship or may be able to access noncitizen status, and your tax return or tax transcript from the previous year.
  • The federal government calculates your Expected Family Contribution and sends your results to your school, which then tells you how much Pell Grant money you receive.
  • Pell Grants are not loans — you do not repay them, and they do not affect your credit.
  • Your school must disburse (pay out) your grant money at least twice per year, usually at the start of each semester.

Gather your documents before you start the FAFSA

You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license or state ID number. Have these ready before you log in.

You also need proof of citizenship or may be able to access noncitizen status. U.S. citizens should have their Social Security number on file with the Social Security Administration — the FAFSA will verify this automatically. If you are a permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or paroled into the United States, you will need your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) from your green card or immigration documents.

Bring your federal tax return or a tax transcript from the year before you plan to attend school. If you filed taxes, use your actual return. If you did not file, you will report your income directly on the FAFSA. If your parents claim you as a dependent, you will need their tax information too. You can get a free tax transcript from the IRS at irs.gov or by calling 1-800-908-9946.

If you are a dependent student, your parents will need to create their own FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID) to sign the FAFSA electronically. You will also need your own FSA ID. Create both at studentaid.gov before you start filling out the form.

Complete the FAFSA online at fafsa.gov

The FAFSA opens October 1 each year and closes June 30. You should submit it as early as possible because some schools and states award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Go to fafsa.gov and select "Start Your FAFSA."

You will create a login using your email address and password, then answer questions about yourself, your family, and your finances. The form takes 30 to 45 minutes. You will report your income, assets, family size, and the number of family members in college. If you are a dependent, one parent must also sign the form using their FSA ID.

After you submit, you will receive a confirmation page with your Student Aid Index (SAI) — this is the number the government uses to calculate your Pell Grant amount. Write down your confirmation number and keep it for your records.

The FAFSA will send your information to every school you list on the form. Schools use your SAI to determine your Pell Grant amount and combine it with other aid to create your financial aid package.

Your school calculates your Pell Grant amount

Your school's financial aid office receives your FAFSA results and uses your Student Aid Index to calculate how much Pell Grant money you receive. The formula is straightforward: the federal government sets a maximum grant amount each year (currently $7,395 for 2024–2025), and your school subtracts your SAI from that maximum. The result is your Pell Grant amount — but it cannot exceed your school's cost of attendance.

For example, if the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395 and your SAI is $1,000, you would normally receive $6,395. But if your school's cost of attendance is only $5,000, your Pell Grant is capped at $5,000.

Your school will send you a financial aid award letter showing your Pell Grant amount, any other aid you received, and what you still owe. This letter usually arrives by April or May for the fall semester. If you have questions about the amount, contact your school's financial aid office — they can explain how your SAI was calculated and whether you are may have access to to more money.

Receive your Pell Grant money from your school

Your school must disburse your Pell Grant at least twice per year, usually once at the start of fall semester and once at the start of spring semester. Some schools pay monthly or more frequently. You will not receive a check in the mail — your school applies the money directly to your tuition and fees bill.

If your Pell Grant exceeds what you owe for tuition and fees, your school will refund the extra money to you. This refund may come as a check, a deposit to your school account, or a direct deposit to your bank account, depending on your school's policy. Ask your financial aid office how refunds are handled at your school.

If you withdraw from school or drop below half-time enrollment, your school may reduce or cancel your Pell Grant for that semester. The amount you must repay depends on when you withdraw and how much of the semester has passed. Your school's financial aid office will calculate this for you.

Maintain your Pell Grant may be able to access each year

Your Pell Grant is not automatic every year — you must reapply by completing a new FAFSA before June 30 of each school year. Your may be able to access can change if your income rises, your family size changes, or the number of family members in college changes.

You must also maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to keep your Pell Grant. This means you must pass enough credits each semester and maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA). The exact requirements vary by school, but most schools require a 2.0 GPA and completion of at least 67% of the credits you attempt. If you fall below SAP, your school will notify you and may suspend your aid.

If you have already received a Pell Grant and your SAI rises above the federal limit in a later year, you will no longer receive a grant. However, you may still be may have access to to other federal aid like loans or work-study. Your school's financial aid office will tell you what aid you are may have access to to each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to repay a Pell Grant?

No. A Pell Grant is a gift of federal money that does not need to be repaid under any circumstances. Unlike federal student loans, you will never receive a bill for a Pell Grant, and it will not affect your credit score.

What if I do not file taxes?

You can still complete the FAFSA. You will report your income directly on the form instead of using a tax return. If your parents do not file taxes either, you will report their income the same way. The FAFSA will still calculate your Student Aid Index and determine your Pell Grant amount.

Can I get 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, refugees, asylees, and people paroled into the United States. Undocumented immigrants are not may have access to to federal Pell Grants, though some states offer their own grant programs for undocumented students.

What happens to my Pell Grant if I change schools?

Your Pell Grant follows you to your new school. You do not need to reapply — your new school will receive your FAFSA information and calculate your grant amount based on their cost of attendance. If you transfer mid-year, your original school and new school will coordinate to split your grant between them.

Can I use a Pell Grant for online school or trade school?

Yes. You can use a Pell Grant at any school that participates in the federal student aid program, including online colleges, community colleges, four-year universities, and trade or vocational schools. Check fafsa.gov to see whether a specific school participates.