PELL Grant - SHMS

🎓 Federal Pell Grant

A Federal Pell Grant is a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid—unlike student loans. It is typically awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s or professional degree.

In certain cases, students enrolled in post-baccalaureate teacher certification programs may also qualify.

Pell Grants are considered the foundation of federal financial aid. Other federal or non-federal aid may be added to your Pell Grant to help cover college costs.

💰 How Much Can I Receive?

For the 2025–2026 academic year (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), the maximum Pell Grant award is: $7,395

The amount you receive will depend on:

Your financial need (based on FAFSA)
Your cost of attendance
Whether you're enrolled full-time or part-time
Whether you’re attending for a full academic year or less

🎓 Special Rule for Pell Grants:

Effective with the 2024-25 award year, as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act (PDF), the Special Rule for Pell Grants replaces the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) and the Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) Scholarship with new or modified eligibility criteria for a student who is less than 33 years old as of the first of January of the FAFSA award year and who indicate on the FAFSA that their parent or guardian died in the line of duty while:

Serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001 (i.e., IASG); or
Actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer (i.e., CFH).

If you answered yes to the FAFSA question the Financial Aid office will request documentation. Once eligibility is confirmed, eligible students will receive a maximum Pell Grant regardless of their Student Aid Index (adjusted for enrollment intensity).

For more information on the IASG please visit the

Federal Student Aid website .

📆 Lifetime Limit

You can receive Pell Grant funds for up to 12 full-time semesters (or the equivalent for part-time study).
This is known as your Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Limit.

💵 How Will I Receive My Pell Grant?

If you're eligible, the school will disburse the funds in one of the following ways:

Apply the funds directly to your tuition and fees
Pay you directly (usually by check)
Use a combination of both methods

You will receive a written notification from the school that explains:

Your total Pell Grant award
How it will be disbursed
When you can expect payment

📌 Important: Schools must disburse Pell Grant funds at least once per academic term (semester, trimester, or quarter).
If your school doesn’t use academic terms, funds will be disbursed at least twice per academic year.

✅ Ready to Apply?

To be considered for a Pell Grant, submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year:

🔗 Start or renew your FAFSA at studentaid.gov »