Eligibility is limited to 12-semesters / 18-quarters (i.e., 6-years) of full- time
equivalent awards for students enrolled in their initial undergraduate degree program
(including eligibility for students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate Teacher Credential
program). Eligibility for Pell Grant is dictated by the federal government according
to a formula derived by the US Department of Education and approved by
Congress. Pell Grant maximum awards for full-time students may change from year to
year depending on Congressional appropriations. Students may apply for Pell Grant
by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.
Please be aware that full-time students may receive Pell for up to three quarters or two semesters per academic year. Students may qualify for an additional 50% Pell award (Year-round Pell) in summer even if they received 100% Pell award in fall and spring semesters. Students would need to be enrolled in 12 units to receive the full 50% Pell award and in a minimum of 1 unit to receive a partial award.
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to students based upon their level of enrollment and Student Aid Index (SAI). The Federal Pell Grant is considered "portable," meaning that, for a given academic year, an eligible student would receive the same Pell Grant at any university.
Pell Grant Enrollment Intensity- Enrollment Intensity is the percentage of Pell you can receive based on your enrollment status for the semester. If a student enrolled for less than 12 units, the chart below indicates the percentage of Pell they can receive.
