Learn more about the Federal Pell Grant program, including eligibility requirements.
The Federal Pell Grant program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and does not need to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is determined by your Student Aid Index (SAI) as calculated from your FAFSA, as well as your current enrollment. Federal Pell Grants are generally awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
Note: If you were the dependent of a servicemember or public safety officer killed in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, you may qualify for additional Federal Pell Grant funding. In order to be considered for this additional funding, you will begin by submitting a FAFSA with UMGC’s school code (011644). After your submission is received, you will receive additional instructions to verify eligibility.
What is a Federal Pell Grant?
FAQs: Federal Pell Grant
Award amounts change yearly. The maximum annual amount of Federal Pell Grant funds for the 2024–2025 academic year is $7,395. Students must have a Student Aid Index (SAI) less than or equal to zero and complete full-time enrollment per term for two terms.
The amount of your Federal Pell Grant award will depend on
- Your Student Aid Index (SAI)
- UMGC cost of attendance
- Your enrollment status: you will receive an increased percentage of your Pell eligibility based on the number of credits you are enrolled in actively (referred to as “Enrollment Intensity”). Below is a chart showing the enrollment intensity for different enrollment levels.
| Credit Hours | Old Enrollment Category | Enrollment Intensity |
| 12 | Full Time | 100% |
| 11 | Three Quarter Time | 92% |
| 10 | Three Quarter Time | 83% |
| 9 | Three Quarter Time | 75% |
| 8 | Half Time | 67% |
| 7 | Half Time | 58% |
| 6 | Half Time | 50% |
| 5 | Less Than Half Time | 42% |
| 4 | Less Than Half Time | 33% |
| 3 | Less Than Half Time | 25% |
| 2 | Less Than Half Time | 17% |
| 1 | Less Than Half Time | 8% |
Federal Pell Grant disbursement amounts may vary depending on how many active applicable course credits you are taking.
For example: You are registered for 100 percent enrollment intensity (12 credits or more) in the fall 2024 term—6 credits in session 1 and 6 credits in session 3. In session 1, you will receive a Federal Pell Grant disbursement based on your active enrollment of 6 credits for that session followed by another Federal Pell Grant disbursement based on your active enrollment of 6 credits in session 3.
For additional details, visit UMGC’s disbursement webpage.
Federal Financial Aid can only be disbursed based on program-applicable courses. Courses not required for your program will be excluded from your enrollment status when determining eligibility for financial aid.
Federal Pell Grant funds will be adjusted if you cease participation in a course for which you previously received a Federal Pell Grant disbursement.
For example: You enrolled in three courses totaling 9 credits during session 1 of the fall term but subsequently dropped or withdrew from one of the courses. The Office of Financial Aid would be required to reduce the Federal Pell Grant disbursement for the term to reflect 50 percent enrolment intensity (or 6 credits) if the student dropped or withdrew from one 3-credit class. This action may create a balance due on your student account.
For more information, visit UMGC’s webpage on Dropping or Withdrawing and Financial Aid.
You may be eligible for year-round Federal Pell Grant aid. Year-round Federal Pell Grant aid benefits students that complete a full-time course load in the summer and fall terms to receive additional Federal Pell Grant aid in the spring term. To be eligible for year-round Federal Pell Grant aid, you must
- Be eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant in the spring term
- Have utilized 100 percent of your scheduled annual Federal Pell Grant award prior to receiving additional funds
Federal law limits the amount of Federal Pell Grant funds a student can receive to the equivalent of six years (or 12 semesters) at full-time enrollment, calculated as 600 percent. You can check your Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU) by logging into StudentAid.gov using your FSA ID. Students who are nearing their maximum of 600 percent LEU may have their Federal Pell Grant disbursements reduced to prevent an overaward.
Federal Pell Grant funds can be awarded to eligible students who completed classes in a previous semester if the relevant academic year is still in progress and other disbursement regulatory requirements are met.
This does not apply to federal loans or other types of aid, which are bound by different awarding and/or disbursement rules.
Important Information to Note
- Your Federal Pell Grant award may change if your SAI changes as a result of verification or an updated FAFSA transaction, or if there is a change in your enrollment.
- You will become ineligible for the Federal Pell Grant if you receive non-federal aid up to your full Cost of Attendance budget.
- You are no longer eligible for the Federal Pell Grant once you have earned your first bachelor’s degree.
- You cannot receive a Federal Pell Grant at more than one institution within the same payment period.