The Federal Pell Grant is a Federal program of entitlement basic to all other student financial aid.
This grant is awarded only to undergraduate students pursuing their first bachelor's degree. The program is based on a need analysis formula, which considers family income and assets, size of family, number of children attending post-secondary schools, and other factors. The formula is applied when an application is made with FAFSA and notification amounts are transmitted to our office electronically with the student's FAFSA file. Application for the grant is automatic when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Pell Limitations - Lifetime Eligibility Explained
In 2012 (and effective beginning the 2012-2013 financial aid year) the U.S. Department of Education established new regulations. This change reduces the duration of a student's lifetime eligibility to receive Pell Grant from 18 full-time semesters (or its equivalent) to 12 full-time semesters (or its equivalent). This provision applies to all Federal Pell Grant eligible students.
What does this mean for you?
An eligible student can receive the Federal Pell Grant until the earliest of a bachelor’s degree or until the student has received the Federal Pell Grant for an equivalent of 12 full-time semesters. This limitation includes the percentage of Federal Pell Grant the student has received from all post-secondary institutions regardless of when the student began receiving aid. Since receipt of a full Federal Pell Grant annual award is equivalent to 100% (based on two (50%) full-time semesters per award year), 12 full-time semesters equates to 600%.
Tracking your Lifetime Eligibility Used on NSLDS
You can find your Lifetime Eligibility Used for the Federal Pell Grant by using your FSDA ID to access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). NSLDS is the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) central database for student aid. NSLDS receives data from schools, guaranty agencies, the Direct Loan program, and other Department of ED programs. NSLDS Student Access provides a centralized, integrated view of Title IV loans and grants so that recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or grant data.