Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements

Eligibility

• Must file the FAFSA; eligibility is determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI), not a single flat income cutoff.
• SAI is calculated from family income, family size, number in college, and other FAFSA factors.
• As an approximate guide: a two-parent family of four with parental income at or below roughly $54,600 (175% of the federal poverty level) would qualify for a meaningful award; single-parent households of the same size qualify at a higher threshold, roughly $70,200.
• Starting with the 2026-27 award year, students with an SAI of $14,790 or higher are not eligible for any Pell Grant award, regardless of other factors.
• Must be enrolled in an eligible undergraduate program and not already hold a Bachelor's or professional degree.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Award

Maximum $7,395 for 2026-27; minimum award $740. Exact amount depends on SAI, cost of attendance, and enrollment status (full-time vs. part-time).