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Money & Aid

Pell Grant

The largest federal grant program — free money for low-income students.

Deep Dive & Explanation

Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The maximum award is around $7,400/year (amount changes annually). Pell Grants do not need to be repaid. Your FAFSA automatically determines eligibility.

Why it matters

If you qualify for a Pell Grant, you are also eligible for many other programs: reduced AP exam fees, SAT fee waivers, some colleges' automatic scholarships, and targeted support programs. It is the key that unlocks many doors.

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