What is a Federal Pell
Grant?
The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to
low-income undergraduate and certain postbaccalaureate students to
promote access to postsecondary education. Federal Pell
Grants are direct grants awarded through higher education to
students with financial need who have not received their first
bachelor’s degree.
How much can a student receive?
For the 2013-2014 academic year the Federal Pell Grant range is
from $605 to $5,645. Awards are contingent on
federal funding levels and are therefore subject to change based on
Congressional action.
Who is eligible?
The U.S. Department of Education determines student’s eligibility
for Pell by using a standard formula, established by
Congress, to evaluate the financial information reported on the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine
the family EFC.(Expected Family Contribution). The
fundamental elements in this standard formula are the student’s
income (and assets if the student is independent), the parents’
income and assets (if the student is dependent), the family’s
household size, and the number of family members (excluding
parents) attending postsecondary institutions.
What is the EFC range?
For the 2013-2014 academic year to be eligible for a Federal Pell
Grant a student’s Expected Family Contribution must be between 0
and 5081. EFC range subject to change based on
Congressional action.
Upon completion of the FAFSA the student will receive a Student Aid
Report (SAR) which advises them of their EFC and Pell
eligibility.
Aggregate Lifetime Limit: Students may receive
up to 12 semesters of the Federal Pell Grant.