Pell Grant Estimator
Estimate your federal Pell Grant eligibility based on household income, family size, and enrollment status. 2025-26 maximum grant is $7,395.
Adjusted Gross Income from last year's tax return
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?
The SAI (formerly Expected Family Contribution / EFC) is a number the FAFSA formula calculates to estimate your family's ability to pay for college. A lower SAI means more aid eligibility. An SAI of 0 qualifies you for the maximum Pell Grant. The SAI replaced EFC starting with the 2024-25 FAFSA.
What is the income limit for a Pell Grant?
There is no hard income cutoff — eligibility depends on household size and other factors. A family of four earning $60,000 may still qualify for some Pell Grant. Families earning above $80,000-$100,000 typically phase out, though larger families at higher incomes sometimes still qualify.
Do I need to repay the Pell Grant?
No. Pell Grants are free money — you do not repay them unless you withdraw early from school and trigger a refund policy. Unlike loans, Pell Grants are outright awards based on financial need.
What is the FAFSA deadline?
The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30 of the academic year. However, each state and school has its own earlier priority deadline — often January or February for best aid packages. File as early as possible after October 1 (when FAFSA opens for the next year).