Federal Grants
Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant is a type of grant that provides funds to help pay for school. Pell Grants are typically awarded to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need. Unlike federal student loans, Pell Grants don’t have to be paid back except under certain circumstances.
Award Amounts
Award amounts can change yearly. The amount for the 2025–26 award year is provided below. We’ll add the amount for the 2026–27 award year when it’s available.
2025–26 Award Year
The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2025–26 award year (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026).
The amount you get, though, will depend on
- your Student Aid Index (based on your FAFSA form),
- the cost of attendance (determined by your school for your specific program),
- your status as a full-time or part-time student, and
- your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.
In certain situations, an eligible student can receive up to 150 percent of his or her scheduled Pell Grant award for an award year.
For example, if you are eligible for a $2,000 Pell Grant for the award year and are enrolled full-time for both the fall term and spring term, you’ll likely receive $1,000 in the fall and $1,000 in the spring. However, under certain circumstances, you may be eligible to receive up to an additional $1,000 for attendance in an additional term within that award year (resulting in your receiving 150% of your original award). You might hear this situation being referred to as “year-round Pell.” For details, contact your school’s financial aid office.
Please note that you can receive the Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 terms full-time terms or the equivalent (roughly six years). You’ll receive a notice if you’re getting close to your limit. If you have any questions, contact your financial aid office.
Who is Eligible for Federal Pell Grants?
Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree. (In some cases, however, a student enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification program might receive a Federal Pell Grant.) Additionally, you may be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant if you are confined or incarcerated and enrolled in an approved Prison Education Program, or are subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense.
Alert: Don’t accept unexpected offers of financial aid or help (such as a “pandemic grant” or “Biden loan forgiveness”) without checking with your school to see if the offer is legit. Learn how to avoid scams.
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Find out why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant.
You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.
How to Apply
You should start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Schools use the information on the FAFSA® form to determine your eligibility for a Pell Grant, and if so, how much you’re eligible to receive. You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year you’re in school to stay eligible for federal student aid, including Pell Grant awards.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate extraordinary financial need relative to other applicants at the institution, with priority given to Pell Grant recipients. Awards are based on availability of funds and are granted at the discretion of the institution. FSEOG awards at Touro University range between $100 and $2,000 per academic year.
