Grants

The Federal Pell Grant is based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is calculated by the Department of Education based on the information listed on the FAFSA form, the number of credit hours per semester and your cost of attendance. If you are enrolled for less than 12 credit hours, the Federal Pell Grant award is calculated as follows:

* Students will need at least 15 credit hours in order to graduate in 4 years.
Federal Pell Grant funds are not available for certificate, special admit, transient, second degree, non-degree, learning support, high school and graduate students. This grant is also limited to 12 full-time semesters.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded based on your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number, determined upon completion of FAFSA, your financial need and funds available. The Federal SEOG funds are not available for certificate, special admit, transient, non-degree, learning support and high school students. Students with the lowest EFC numbers receive priority. The Federal SEOG awards range from $100 to $2,000 a year.

Pell Grant eligibility will be determined in three steps:

1. Maximum Pell Grant – Applicants may qualify for a Maximum Pell Grant based on family size, adjusted gross income (AGI), and poverty guidelines. Students qualifying for a Maximum Pell Grant will have an SAI between negative $1,500 (-$,1500) and $0.

2. Student Aid Index (SAI) – Applicants who do not qualify for a Maximum Pell Grant may still qualify if their calculated SAI is less than the maximum Pell Grant award for the award year. The applicant’s Pell Grant award for full-time enrollment will be equal to the maximum Pell Grant for the award year minus SAI. The Pell Grant will be adjusted (prorated) if an applicant enrolls in less than full time, or if the applicant’s Cost of Attendance (COA) is less than the calculated Pell Grant award.

3. Minimum Pell Grant – Applicants whose SAI is greater than the maximum Pell Grant award for the award year may still qualify for a Pell Grant, based on family size, AGI, and poverty guidelines.

• Non- Filers – Independent student (and spouse, if applicable) tax non-filers and dependent children of non-filing parent (s)
• Children of certain deceased veterans and public safety officers- Students under age 33 whose parent died in the armed forces after September 11, 2001, and or students under age 33 whose parent (s) died in the line of duty as a public safety officer

Automatic Pell Grants based on income household and size: Families making less than 175% and single parents making less than 225% of the federal poverty level will see their students receive a maximum Federal Pell Grant award. Minimum Pell Grants will be guaranteed to students from households below 275%, 325%, 350%, or 400% of the federal poverty level, depending on household structure. Pell awards between the maximum and minimum amounts will be determined by SAI.

Once the annual Federal Pell Grant is determined, half of the award will be offered in each semester of the award year and will be prorated by Enrollment Intensity instead of Enrollment Levels.

Previously, a Pell Grant-eligible student must have been enrolled at least half-time in a payment period during which they received more than 100% of their scheduled award. Beginning with the 2024-2025 award year, half-time enrollment is no longer required.