Pell Grant Calculator
Estimate your 2026–27 federal Pell Grant: up to $7,395 a year that never has to be paid back.
Most unmarried undergrads under 24 are dependent students and report parent info.
Estimate based on the 2026–27 federal formula (max Pell $7,395). Assumes full-time enrollment; part-time awards are prorated. Not an award decision.
How your Pell Grant is calculated
There are three ways to qualify. If your family's income is within 175% of the poverty guideline for your family size (225% for single parents), or your household isn't required to file taxes, you get the maximum award. Otherwise the FAFSA calculates your Student Aid Index (SAI), and your grant is the maximum minus that number. And if that lands below the minimum but your income is still moderate, a minimum grant pathway can keep you eligible.
Estimate based on the Department of Education's published 2026–27 tables. The official amount comes from filing the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.
Want the full picture? Estimate your SAI with the FAFSA estimator
Common questions
How much is the Pell Grant for 2026-27?
The maximum is $7,395 per year and the minimum is $740. Your amount depends on your Student Aid Index (SAI), your enrollment intensity, and your school's cost of attendance.
What income qualifies for the maximum Pell Grant?
If your family's income is within 175% of the federal poverty guideline for your family size (225% for single parents), or your household isn't required to file a tax return, you get the maximum automatically. For a single-parent family of three, that's roughly $58,000.
Do I have to pay the Pell Grant back?
No. Pell Grants are gift aid, not loans. You'd only ever repay a portion if you withdrew from school mid-term after the money was disbursed.
What if I'm enrolled part-time?
Your award is prorated by enrollment intensity: half-time enrollment gets about half the full-time amount. This calculator shows the full-time figure.
My estimate is $0. Do I have other options?
Plenty. Merit scholarships, private scholarships, and school aid don't use Pell's income cutoffs. Award Scholar matches you with scholarships you qualify for regardless of income, and writes the essays.