Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. 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.
The U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula to evaluate Pell Grant eligibility by the information a student supplies on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This formula produces an EFC (expected family contribution) number, which will determine if the student is eligible for the grant. Applicants must be undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree.
Amounts
2022-2023 Award Year
- The 2022-2023 Award Year maximum Pell Grant Scheduled Award amount is $6,895 and the minimum is $692 (assuming full-time enrollment). The Pell Grant eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC) range is 0 to 6,206.
- See the 2022-2023 CSU Pell Grant Payment Chart (PDF) to view all possible Pell award amounts based on your EFC and Enrollment Status.
2023-2024 Award Year
- The 2023-2024 Award Year maximum Pell Grant Scheduled Award amount is $7,395 and the minimum is $767 (assuming full-time enrollment). The Pell Grant eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC) range is 0 to 6,656.
- See the 2023-2024 CSU Pell Grant Payment Chart (PDF) to view all possible Pell award amounts based on your EFC and Enrollment Status.
| Enrollment Status | Credit Hours | Disbursed Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time | 12+ credit hours | Entire awarded amount (100%) |
| Three-Quarter Time | 9-11 Credit Hours | Three quarters of awarded amount (75%) |
| Half Time | 6-8 credit hours | Half of awarded amount (50%) |
| Less Than Half-Time | 5 or below credit hours | One quarter of awarded amount* (25%) |
Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Use
The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student may receive over his or her lifetime is limited by a new federal law to be the equivalent of six years of Pell Grant funding. Since the maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%, the six-year equivalent is 600%.
You can view your Lifetime Eligibility (LEU) percentage by logging on to the National Student Loan Data System using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID password and then viewing your LEU. The LEU will be found on the Financial Aid Review page. This amount will increase if you receive any additional Pell Grant disbursements over time from Clayton State or any other college/university in the country.