Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduates and certain post-baccalaureate students (Credential Students) to promote access to post-secondary education. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. 

Students may not receive the Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

Eligibility Requirement

  1. Complete a   FAFSA applicationOpens in new window

  2. U.S. Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens

  3. Undergraduate student

  4. Have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree

  5. You are not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant if you have criminal convictionsOpens in new window .

Award Amounts Depends On:

  1. The student's expected family contributions (EFC)

  2. The cost of attendance

  3. The student's enrollment status (full-time or part-time)

  4. Whether the student attends for a full academic year or less

Pell Grant Min and Max Awarded
Aid Year Maximum Pell Award Minimum Pell Award
2022-2023 $6,895 $692
2023-2024 $7,395 $767
2024-2025 $7,395 $740

 

Important Note:

Your award is dependent on your Expected Family Contributions (EFC), you can obtain that information on your FAFSA application. The higher your EFC the less Pell award you will received and more units of enrolled is required for disbursement.

Award Limits

Students are limited to a total of six full-time (600%) of Pell Grant eligibility, also known as the Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU). The calculation of this total includes previous semesters at CSUF, as well as any attendance at any other institutions (including community colleges) where a Pell Grant was paid. 

Visit the Federal Student Aid to learn more and to determine the percentage of Pell Grant funding you have received. --Federal Student AidOpens in new window

DISBURSEMENT FOR FEDERAL PELL GRANT
Units Enrolled Enrollment Intensity Formula Enrollment Intensity Enrollment Status Equivalent
 12 (or more) 12 ÷ 12 = 1.0 100%  Full-Time
 11 11 ÷ 12 = 0.917 92%  Three-Quarter Time
 10  10 ÷ 12 = 0.833 83%  Three-Quarter Time
 9  9 ÷ 12 = 0.75  75% Three-Quarter Time
8 8 ÷ 12 = 0.667 67% Half-Time
7 7 ÷ 12 = 0.583 58% Half-Time
6 6 ÷ 12 = 0.50 50% Half-Time
5 5 ÷ 12 = 0.417 42% Less-than-Half-Time
4 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 33% Less-than-Half-Time
3 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 25% Less-than-Half-Time
2 2 ÷ 12 = 0.167 17% Less-than-Half-Time
1 1 ÷ 12= 0.083 8% Less-than-Half-Time

Additional Eligibility Information

 

Eligible students can receive Pell Grant funding for up to six academic years (12 full-time semesters) or the equivalent. This total includes Pell Grant received at all institutions attended – and is retroactive. You cannot appeal this federal regulation or request an extension. Log in to StudentAid.gov to review the total amount of Pell grant you have received.

 

Pell Grant recipients who change enrollment status - adding or dropping courses - will have their eligibility recalculated based on their enrollment status as of the University's census date for each semester, typically the beginning of the fourth week of class.

Likewise, Pell Grant fund will be recalculated for students who drop classes and the revised Pell Grant will be based on "census" enrollment status. In some instances, this recalculation may results in repayment of fund already disbursed as a result of the reduction in units following the disbursement of Pell Grant funds.