Pell Lifetime Eligibility
The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students to promote access to postsecondary education. The Federal Pell Grant usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds you may receive over your lifetime is limited by federal law to be the equivalent of six years (600%) of Pell Grant funding.
- Percent used: To determine how much of the maximum six years (600%) of Pell Grant you have used each year, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) compares the actual amount you received for the award year with your scheduled award amount for that award year.
- Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU): ED keeps track of your LEU by adding together the percentages of your Pell Grant scheduled awards that you received for each award year.
Examples of Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used
| Student A: |
Student B: |
|
| Pell Award - Year 1: |
$1,000 | $1,000 |
| Pell Received: |
$1,000 | $500 |
| Percent Used: |
100% | 50% |
| Pell Award - Year 2: |
$1,000 | $1,000 |
| Pell Received: |
$750 | $1,000 |
| Percent Used: |
75% | 100% |
|
LEU: |
175% |
150% |
|
LEU REMAINING |
425% (600%-175%) |
450% (600%-150%) |