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 Northern Illinois University
When you see that 47.3% of students at Northern Illinois University 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.
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