The federal Pell Grant is offered to low-income undergraduate and certain teaching credential post-baccalaureate students to promote higher educational learning.  Students may use their Pell Grant at one of the approximately 5,400 participating post-secondary institutions.  The Pell Grant Amount is determined based on the financial need of the student.  Students must complete and submit a FAFSA form by the respective deadline in order to be considered for a Pell Grant.  Once the federal government determines the financial need, they will send an EFC or Expected Family Contribution score that will inform the student if they are eligible to receive a Pell Grant. 

In order to be eligible for a Pell Grant, students must meet the following requirements:

·        Have a financial need

·        Have a high school diploma, a GED, or have the ability to benefit from the program or training offered

·        Be a United States Citizen, permanent resident, or other eligible classifications of non-citizen

·        Have a valid Social Security number

·        Register for selective service if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25.

·        Achieve at least the GPA required for probationary status at the college; after two years of enrollment, earn at least a "C" average, or its equivalent, or have academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation.

·        Certify by signing the FAFSA form that you will use any Federal Student Aid funds awarded to you strictly towards educational expenses

·        Certify by signing the FAFSA form that you do not owe a repayment of any federal student aid grant.

A student’s Pell Grant eligibility could be suspended if the student is/was convicted under Federal/State law of the sale or possession of illegal drugs while you were a student receiving federal student aid.  

In order for undergraduate students to continue to be eligible for the Pell Grant, students must continue to be enrolled in an undergraduate course of study and hasn’t previously received a post-baccalaureate degree.  An undergraduate school is defined as one that usually doesn’t exceed four academic years or is a program of four or five academic years designed to lead to a baccalaureate or professional degree.  If the program is longer than 5 years then students enrolled in that program are considered undergraduate students only for the first 4 academic years of the program.

If you are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, the school you plan to attend will apply the Pell Grant funds to your school costs and will disburse any remaining funds.  Your school must inform you in writing the total Pell Grant amount you will receive with an expected disbursement date.  Schools are required by law to disperse any excess Pell Grant funds at least once per term.



Pell Grant Requirements / Pell Grant Qualifications / Pell Grant Information