What Pell Grant will you get?
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Financial Situation
Before taxes. Include parents' income if dependent.
Total liquid assets. Do NOT include home or retirement.
Maximum award $7,395 for the 2026–27 award year — U.S. Department of Education, GEN-26-01, last verified 26 July 2026. The Student Aid Index thresholds used here are approximate; your actual award is set by your FAFSA and your school.
Why the switch to SAI?
The FAFSA has changed. The old "EFC" model is gone. The new Student Aid Index (SAI) determines your eligibility. Unlike EFC, the SAI can be a negative number (as low as -1500), which helps identify students with the greatest financial need.
The Pell Grant helps cover college costs
The Federal Pell Grant is a form of need-based financial aid that does not need to be repaid. Your eligibility depends on your Student Aid Index (SAI), which is calculated from your income and assets. The lower your SAI, the more you can receive — up to the maximum annual award. This tool estimates against the $7,395 maximum for the 2026–27 award year (U.S. Department of Education, GEN-26-01, verified 26 July 2026); the Student Aid Index thresholds it applies are approximate. Your actual award is determined by your FAFSA results and your school's financial aid office.
Common questions
What is the maximum Pell Grant?
The maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2026–27 award year is $7,395, set by the U.S. Department of Education. Awards are prorated for part-time enrolment, so students attending less than full time receive proportionally less.
Do I have to pay a Pell Grant back?
No. A Pell Grant is not a loan and is not repaid. The one exception is withdrawing from your programme partway through a term, which can trigger a return of funds for the portion you did not complete.
What replaced the Expected Family Contribution?
The Student Aid Index, introduced with the simplified FAFSA. Unlike the old EFC it can be negative, as low as minus 1,500, and a negative index signals the highest level of need. Guidance still referring to an EFC is out of date.
Is there a lifetime limit on Pell Grants?
Yes. Pell eligibility is capped at 600 percent of a full annual award, which is roughly twelve full-time semesters. Your usage is tracked as a Lifetime Eligibility Used percentage and shown in your federal student aid account.
Can a Pell Grant pay for short job training?
Since 1 July 2026, Workforce Pell extends grants to short programmes running at least 8 weeks and under 15 weeks, with 150 to 599 clock hours, at accredited institutions that participate in federal student aid and have approval from both the state governor and the Department of Education. Many short courses fall below the 8-week floor and do not qualify.
Do I need to file the FAFSA every year?
Yes. Pell eligibility is determined for one award year at a time, and you must file a new FAFSA for each year you want aid. Filing early matters because some state and institutional aid is awarded first come, first served.