Pell Grant Reliance in Higher Education
The Federal Pell Grant is a crucial subsidy for students from low-income backgrounds. The percentage of students at a college who receive a Pell Grant is a strong indicator of the institution's commitment to serving economically diverse students.
What is a Pell Grant?
A Pell Grant is a form of federal financial aid that, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. These grants are awarded almost exclusively to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
- Eligibility: Determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Award Amount: The maximum award for the 2023-24 award year is $7,395. The amount depends on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status.
Pell Grant Recipient Rates
The percentage of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants varies significantly by institution type.
- Public 4-Year Universities: ~33%
- Private Non-Profit 4-Year Universities: ~31%
- For-Profit Institutions: ~60%
A high percentage can indicate a school serves a large population of low-income students.
Do You Qualify?
The only way to know for sure if you're eligible for a Pell Grant is to fill out the FAFSA.
Complete the FAFSAInterpreting Pell Grant Data for Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
When you see that 22.5% of students at Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development receive a Pell Grant, it tells you about the economic diversity of the student body. Schools with higher percentages are often more experienced in supporting the needs of first-generation and low-income students.