How to Find Out the Amount of a Pell Grant Award

The Pell Grant Award can supplement basic education costs where college savings are lacking.

The maximum amount of Pell Grant award that students are eligible to receive varies from school year to school year, but for the 2011-2012 school year the amount is $5,550. The amount of money that you actually qualify for varies as well, based on factors such as income, and other sources of financial aid. As the enrolled student, the school ultimately holds you responsible for ensuring your tuition is covered before the start of classes. Knowing how much a Pell Grant award is going toward your education can allay some of your concerns. There are at least three routes you can take to get this information.

Instructions

1. Visit the school's financial aid office in person, on campus. Ask the counselor if he's able to print out a copy of your financial aid award letter for the current or upcoming school term. This award letter lists whether you are approved for a Pell Grant, and the amount that you are eligible to receive over the school term. Usually, the lump sum is divided over semesters and quarters. If a letter is not yet available for printing, then ask for a verbal estimate or confirmation of some kind. Most financial aid departments have automated systems that print out and mail the award letters to student's addresses on file when the information if ready.

2. Call the school's financial aid department to speak with a counselor. Some schools will provide financial aid information over the phone after verifying your identity, such as your full name, address and Social Security number. Other schools might have stricter rules over what information can be told over the phone. If the counselor cannot provide the information, request that an award letter detailing your Pell Grant be mailed to your address on file.

3. Log in to your student account on the school's financial aid website, to see an online version of your award letter, including Pell Grant information. Similar to online banking, you set up an account with a username or ID and password, after you get admitted to the school. This student account is usually available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for most of the school year. Log in and click on a link labeled "Award Letter" in the Financial Aid section, for the current or upcoming school term. Use the printing functions in your Internet browser to print out a copy of the award letter from the website.

Tips & Warnings

• Some financial aid departments also give parents and guardians separate log-ins for the student's financial aid account.

References

• U.S. Department of Education: Federal Student Aid: Federal Pell Grant
• U.S. Department of Education: Federal Student Aid: Funding Education Beyond High School (2011-2012)
• Yale University: Financial Aid FAQ
• Dartmouth College: Student Account Statements/Billing
• Princeton University: Financial Aid -- Student Log In

Resources

• U.S. Department of Education: Federal Student Aid: Sample Award Package
• U.S. Department of Education: Federal Student Aid: Sample Financial Aid Offer (PDF)
• U.S. Department of Education: Search for Schools, Colleges and Libraries