Frequently Asked Questions

A Pell Grant is a type of financial aid that can help pay for tuition, fees or other educational expenses. Pell Grants do not have to be repaid.

To apply for a Pell Grant you will need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you meet the eligibility requirements you will get a Pell Grant as a part of your financial aid package.

To get a Pell Grant, you must:

• Demonstrate financial need by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Be a U.S.citizen, U.S. national or eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid Social Security Number
• Have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate OR demonstrate “ability to benefit” by passing an approved test
• Meet satisfactory academic progress
• Be enrolled in an eligible post-secondary school
• Be working toward a first undergraduate degree or teaching credential
• Certify that the funds will be used only for educational purposes, and
• Be registered with the Selective Service if you are a male between the ages of 18 and 25.

A Pell Grant provides financial aid that can be used for tuition, fees and educational expenses. There is no limit on the number of Pell Grants you can get as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. Pell Grants range from $740 to $7,395 in the 2024-2025 academic year (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025).

Pell Grants can be used for tuition, fees, or other educational expenses.

Yes. Pell Grant eligibility is based on financial need. Although students with family incomes up to $45,000 may be eligible, most awards go to students with family incomes below $20,000.

You can get your Pell Grant once you have accepted a financial aid offer from your school. Funds are usually available at the beginning of the semester or quarter.

Yes. Pell Grants are not considered income or assets for the SSI program.

Yes. A Pell Grant will not affect Social Security Disability Insurance eligibility because SSDI does not count income or resources .

Yes. To qualify for a Pell Grant you must be able to live and attend school legally in the United States as a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or eligible noncitizen.

If you are an eligible noncitizen, you must be a:

• U.S. permanent resident (has Alien Registration Card or I-551)
• Conditional permanent resident (has I-551C Card)
• Refugee
• Asylum grantee
• Parolee, or
• Cuban-Haitian entrant with an Arrival Departure Record (I-94) from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

You can receive a Pell Grant as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. However, you can only receive one award per academic year.

Yes. You can receive a Pell Grant if you are attending school part-time, or are enrolled for less than a full academic year. However, your award may be reduced.

To apply for a Pell Grant you will need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You need the following information in order to complete your FAFSA:

• Actual or estimated tax returns;
• W-2 Forms and other records of earnings;
• Records of untaxed income (e.g. Social Security, CalWORKs and veteran’s benefits records)
• Investment records;
• Bank statements;
• Mortgage information;
• Business and farm records;
• Driver’s license; and
• Social Security Number.

For married or dependent students family financial information will be needed as well.

Yes. If you are ineligible for a Pell Grant, you may be eligible for other types of aid. You should speak with your financial aid officer for information on other types of aid. Scholarships.com offers information on scholarships for students with disabilities.