Grants

What is a Federal Pell Grant?

Unlike a college loan, a Federal Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants generally are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s or professional degree (such as a law or medical degree). In some cases, you may be able to receive a Pell Grant to help pay for a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program.

How Much Money Is a Pell Grant?

Pell Grants can provide different students with different amounts of money, depending on three factors:

• Your financial need
• How much it will cost you to attend the school you'll be attending
• Funding for the Pell Grants program in that particular year. 

Currently the maximum Pell Grant hovers around $4,000. You may receive only one Pell Grant in an award year, and you may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

How Will I Be Paid the Pell Grant Money?

Your school may credit the Pell Grant funds to your school account, pay you directly (usually by check), or combine these methods. The school must tell you in writing how and when you’ll be paid and how much your Pell Grant will be. Schools must pay you at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter). Schools that don’t use formally defined, traditional terms must pay you at least twice per academic year.

How Do I Apply for A Pell Grant?

To apply for a Pell Grant you simply have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on the information in your application, the U.S. Department of Education will use a standard formula to evaluate whether you’re eligible for a Pell Grant and, if so, how much money you should receive.  You can apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.