Federal Pell Grants

Federal Pell grants are available to help matriculated undergraduate students who have no prior undergraduate degrees.  Application for this type of financial aid is done by filling out and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Basic eligibility requirements must be met, as determined by the federal government. Only students with the greatest financial need will receive these grants.

At Binghamton University, you can receive the Federal Pell Grant for fall, spring and summer (winter not available).

For the 2024-25 academic year, Federal Pell Grants for full-time students range from $740 to $7,395 depending on the expected family contribution and Congressional funding. 

Pell Grant eligibility is determined based on enrollment. Students who are less than full time may be eligible for a pro-rated award.  Enrollment is locked/frozen shortly after the add/drop deadline each semester, which is called the Pell Recalculation Date (PRD).  Pell Grant funding is based on the student's enrollment as of the PRD, and is disbursed to a student's account the following week.  If a student's FAFSA is received after the add/drop deadline for that term, enrollment will be locked/frozen based on the FAFSA "received" date.  

Pell Grant funding is limited to 12 semesters (or its equivalent) for all eligible undergraduate students and includes all semesters the student received federal Pell grant funding.

Once degree requirements are met for a first undergraduate degree, students are no longer eligible for PELL Grant funding.