Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is usually awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree. Unlike a Federal Direct Loan, the Pell grant is aid that does NOT have to be repaid.
The amount a Pell Grant recipient may receive is based on:
- The student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the FAFSA
- Muhlenberg College’s cost of attendance
- A student’s enrollment status as a full-time or part-time student
- A student’s plans to attend school for a full academic year or less
In order to be considered for eligibility for a Pell Grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually. The annual maximum amount of the Federal Pell Grant can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2025-2026 award year.
The amount of Federal Pell Grant a recipient may receive can change from year-to-year because there is change to a student’s SAI.
The most common reasons a student’s SAI changes are:
- A significant increase or decrease in family income
- More or fewer family members living at home
- A significant increase or decrease in parent(s) or student assets
Any changes in the SAI will result in a change to a student’s determined need. The change in the need can affect the need-based aid that a student received the prior year.
Federal Pell Grant funds will be disbursed directly to the student accounts office within three business days of receipt from the federal government. The funds will be applied directly toward a student’s balance. The Pell Grant will not be officially deducted from a student’s billable charges until the funds have been disbursed.
Learn more about how grant funds are disbursed on our grants and scholarships page.
