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The Federal Pell Grant is the largest federal need-based grant. It generally does not have to be repaid, though a student who withdraws may have to return part of the award under federal Return of Title IV rules. Pell can be received at only one school per semester.
Eligibility
Pell eligibility is set federally through the FAFSA. The main factors are:
- Student Aid Index (a number calculated from the FAFSA)
- Cost of attendance
- Enrollment intensity (how many credit hours the student takes)
- How much lifetime Pell the student has already used
Two limits apply starting with the 2026-27 award year. A student with an SAI of $14,790 or higher (twice the maximum Pell award) is not eligible for Pell, including the minimum award. A student whose grants and scholarships from non-federal sources cover the entire cost of attendance is not eligible for Pell.
The student also has to meet the basic federal aid requirements and be enrolled in an eligible program, with the cost ceiling set by Cost of Attendance.
How Much a Student Receives
The annual Pell scheduled award is set by the Department of Education each year, based on the student's Student Aid Index and enrollment intensity.
| Award year |
Maximum |
Minimum |
No Pell at SAI of |
| 2025-26 |
$7,395 |
$740 |
no cutoff |
| 2026-27 |
$7,395 |
$740 |
$14,790 or higher |
Enrollment Intensity
Pell pays by the credit hour. Each eligible credit hour pays one twelfth of the scheduled award, up to 12 hours, so a load of 12 or more hours pays the full amount and fewer hours pay proportionally less. Enrolling above 12 hours does not increase Pell.
Only program-applicable courses count toward the calculation.
Enrollment Lock Date
Once the drop/add period ends for the student's earliest session of enrollment in the semester, SF locks the student's enrollment level for federal aid purposes. The Pell Grant amount is set to match the locked enrollment intensity, and the locked hours are also what federal loan eligibility is measured against.
Before the lock. Dropping a Pell-applicable course lowers the award and adding one raises it.
After the lock. Pell does not increase for an added class, and dropping a course does not lower the award for that semester.
The exception is a later-starting mini-term or flex term. A student who starts a B session or other late-starting course after the lock can have Pell recalculated for that enrollment, tied to the mini-term's start.
Lifetime Eligibility
Pell has a lifetime limit. A student can receive the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters of Pell, tracked as a percentage up to 600 percent. A full year at full time uses 100 percent, and part-time enrollment uses less. At 600 percent, the student can no longer receive Pell at any school.
Lifetime use is viewable on StudentAid.gov [WEB LINK: StudentAid.gov], and the Financial Aid Portal in eSantaFe [WEB LINK: eSantaFe login] shows current Pell eligibility.
Summer Pell
Pell is available in summer under the same eligibility and enrollment-intensity rules as fall and spring. There is no separate summer application and no different calculation.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
A student whose parent or guardian died as a result of U.S. military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG). A student who meets the criteria can receive an amount equal to a full Pell even if their Student Aid Index is too high for Pell. A student who thinks they qualify should contact the Financial Aid Office.
Disbursement
Pell is paid once enrollment is verified for the semester and any outstanding requirements are cleared, on the standard disbursement timeline. Timing varies by semester.