Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grant
Disclaimer: If you are interested in receiving a federal grant, your first step is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to complete the FAFSA every year you plan to be enrolled, as it determines your financial need and eligibility for grants.
The Federal Pell Grant is the most widely offered grant program by the federal government. Your Pell eligibility is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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Your eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant is generally the same no matter what institution you attend for college. Factors such as the cost of attendance and part-time enrollment should be the only factors that reduce your Pell Grant eligibility from one institution to another.
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eligibility consideration
Federal Pell Grants, like most grant programs, are limited to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Once you have a bachelor's degree or are classified as a graduate student, you can no longer be considered for a Pell Grant.
General Eligibility:
To be considered for a Pell Grant, students must:
- be enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate program.
- complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- complete any supplemental requirements needed by the school.
- complete financial aid Terms & Conditions each academic year.
- meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards at the end of each academic year.
- not be in default on student loans.
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determining eligibility
Disclaimer: Pell eligibility for 2023-2024 and earlier was based on a student's Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and a chart issued by the Department of Education.
FAFSA simplification and the 2024-25 FAFSA have ushered in a new way to determine Pell Grant eligibility. Now families can predict some eligibility before completing the FAFSA and full eligibility through FAFSA completion. The Pell Grant is designated for high-need students, and some students will not be eligible for Pell after completing each evaluation.
types of Pell Grant eligibility calculations
Beginning with Summer 2024, students will be evaluated for the Pell Grant in 3 different ways and, if eligible, will receive the greatest of the Pell awards:
- Maximum Pell.
- Calculated Pell.
- The difference between a Maximum Pell award and the Student Aid Index (SAI).
- Minimum Pell.
Maximum (1) and Minimum (3) Pell Grant evaluations look at the family's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and family size from their federal tax return (two years prior/what is reported on the FAFSA) relative to the national poverty determinations for the same year as the taxes reported on the FAFSA.
Maximum and Minimum Federal Pell Grant Determination Student Type Max Pell Limit Min Pell Limit Dependent student with single-parent 225% of poverty guideline 325% of poverty guideline Dependent student with a non-single parent 175% of poverty guideline 275% of poverty guideline Independent student who is not a parent 225% of poverty guideline 275% of poverty guideline Independent student who is a single-parent 175% of poverty guideline 400% of poverty guideline Independent student who is a non-single parent 175% of poverty guideline 350% of poverty guideline 2022 poverty guideline is used for 2024-25 FAFSA aid year. 2023 poverty guideline will be used for 2025-26 FAFSA aid year.
Health and Human Services poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC* Family Size 2022 Poverty Guideline 2023 Poverty Guideline 1 $13,590 $14,580 Each additional person $4,750 $5,140 * Poverty guidelines are slightly higher for residents of Alaska and Hawaii.
Calculated (2) Pell eligibility occurs when a student does not meet the maximum and minimum thresholds.
$7395 (Max Pell Grant Award for the Year) - SAI (If a negative SAI use -0-) = Pell Grant eligibility (rounded to the nearest $5) Maximum Pell Grant award for 2023-24 was $7,395. Maximum Pell Grant award for 2024-25 was set to be the same with the final bill to fund the government signed on 3/22/24. The minimum Pell Grant is 10% of the maximum Pell.
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2024-2025 Award amounts
Full-Time Pell Awards:
- Maximum Pell Grant = $7,395
- Minimum Pell Grant = $740 (10% of Maximum Pell; rounded to the nearest $5)
- Calculated Pell Grant = $7,395 minus the student's SAI
Less-Than- Full-Time Pell Awards:
Students attending less than full-time (12+ credits) for any semester will have their Pell adjusted to reflect their enrollment intensity.
- Prior to Summer 2024: Students attending less than 12 hours are categorized as 3/4-time, half-time, and less-than-half-time; and Pell Grants were adjusted to 75%, 50%, or 25%, respectively, for the semester.
- Beginning Summer 2024: Enrollment intensity is measured in credit hours as a percentage of 12 hours for full-time: 100% at 12+ hours, 92% at 11, 83% at 10, 75% at 9; 67% at 8, 58% at 7, 50% at 6, 42% at 5, 33% at 4, 25% at 3, 17% at 2, and 8% at 1. This percentage is then calculated against the Pell term/semester amount.
150% year-round pell:
The Pell Grant is one of the few aid programs that allows for an additional award for summer attendance that won't affect your award in the fall and spring. The US Department of Education Appropriations Act, 2017, allows a student to receive Federal Pell Grant funds for up to 150% of the student's scheduled award for an award year.
Disclaimers:
Until funds are paid to the school Pell Grants will adjust with each adding and dropping of courses when a student is less than full-time. After funds have been paid to the school, Pell Grants will adjust if the student is reported for non-attendance in any course(s). Additionally, any student who withdraws from all courses or is considered an unofficial withdraw may have aid returned depending on when the final course drop for the semester occurred.
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Lifetime Limit
pell lifetime eligibility used (LEU):
You can receive the Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters or the equivalent (roughly six years - 600%). You’ll receive a notice if you’re getting close to your limit.
- If your Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) equals or exceeds 600%, you may no longer receive Pell Grant funding.
- Similarly, if your LEU is greater than 500% but less than 600%, while you will be eligible for a Pell Grant for the next award year, you will not be able to receive a full scheduled award.
Once you have reached 6.0 years in Pell usage, you can no longer receive Pell, even if you have not graduated with your bachelor's degree. Students who extend their academic careers through multiple major changes or academic progress appeals can reach their limit before graduation, and students who use Pell in the summer can reach this 6-year limit sooner than 6 academic years.
The 6-year limit on Pell is absolute and is not appealable.
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Contact Info
Lyle Hall, 2nd Floor, Room 241
Office Hours:
Call Center Hours:
Standard: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (mid-August to mid-May) Summer: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (mid-May to mid-August)
Available by Phone: Mon.-Fri. 8:00am to 6:00pm
Phone: 717-871-5100
Fax: 717-871-7980
Email: fa.mail@millersville.eduUSPS Mailing Address:
Office of Financial Aid
Millersville University
P.O. Box 1002
Millersville, PA 17551-0302Address for UPS/FedEx:
Office of Financial Aid
Lyle Hall, 2nd Floor
40 Dilworth Rd
Millersville, PA 17551-0302