How is Pell Grant eligbility determined?
Maximum Pell Grant
The FAFSA determines whether the student qualifies for the Maximum Pell Grant based on two factors: 1) parents’ Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) plus Foreign Income Exclusion Amount in the base year, family size and state of residence, and 2) the student’s calculated Student Aid Index (SAI). When a parent’s AGI plus Foreign Income Exclusion Amount is at or below limits based on marital status and family size in the tables below, the student may qualify for the Maximum Pell Grant. The Maximum Pell Grant is determined annually by Congress, and the amount for the 2026-27 Award Year is expected to be $7,395.
Starting with 2026-27 FAFSA, all students will receive a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI). Student and parent assets will be reported to calculate the Student Aid Index regardless of income. The two exceptions to asset reporting are: 1) parents who are not required to file a federal tax return, and 2) parents with an AGI less than $60,000 who file a simplified return (i.e., a 1040 with no Schedules A, B, D, E, F, or H, and the Schedule C amount must be less than $10,000).
If the Student Aid Index (SAI) is more than twice the Maximum Pell Grant amount for 2026-27 – or $14,790 – then the student will not be eligible to receive the Pell Grant even though the parents’ AGI plus Foreign Income Exclusion Amount is at or below the amount in the table below.
Partial Pell Grant
A student can still receive a partial Pell Grant when their parents’ AGI plus Foreign Income Exclusion Amount exceeds the limits below. This partial Pell Grant is calculated based on the Student Aid Index (SAI). When the SAI is less than the Maximum Pell Grant, the student may be awarded the difference between the two.
Maximum Pell Grant Income Limits
This table provides the parent income limits for a dependent student for the three FAFSA cycles: 2025-26 FAFSA, 2026-2027 FAFSA, and 2027-28 FAFSA.
2025-26 FAFSA Income Limits
by marital status and family size for the lower 48 states
| Family size | unmarried parent with 2023 AGI at or below | Married parent with 2023 AGI at or below |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $44,370 | N/A |
| 3 | $55,935 | $43,505 |
| 4 | $67,500 | $52,500 |
| 5 | $79,065 | $61,495 |
| 6 | $90,630 | $70,490 |
| 7 | $102,195 | $79,485 |
| 8 | $113,760 | $88,480 |
| For an unmarried parent, the AGI threshold is based on 225% of the 2023 federal poverty level, given family size. | For married parents, the AGI threshold is based on 175% of the 2023 federal poverty level, given family size. |
TIP: Your Adjusted Gross Income can be found on your personal tax return, 1040, line 11.
2026-27 FAFSA Income Limits
by marital status and family size for the lower 48 states.
| Family size | unmarried parent with 2024 AGI + foreign Income Exclusion amount at or below | Married parent with 2024 AGI + foreign Income Exclusion amount at or below |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $45,990 | N/A |
| 3 | $58,095 | $45,185 |
| 4 | $70,200 | $54,600 |
| 5 | $82,305 | $64,015 |
| 6 | $94,410 | $73,430 |
| 7 | $106,515 | $82,845 |
| 8 | $118,620 | $92,260 |
| For an unmarried parent, the AGI + Foreign Income Exclusion Amount threshold is based on 225% of the 2024 federal poverty level, given family size. | For married parents, the AGI + Foreign Income Exclusion Amount threshold is based on 175% of the 2024 federal poverty level, given family size. |
TIP: Your Adjusted Gross Income can be found on your personal tax return, 1040, line 11 and Foreign Income Exclusion Amount can be found on Schedule 1, Line 8d.
2027-28 FAFSA Income Limits
by marital status and family size for the lower 48 states
| Family size | unmarried parent with 2025 AGI + foreign Income Exclusion amount at or below | Married parent with 2025 AGI + foreign Income Exclusion amount at or below |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $47,588 | N/A |
| 3 | $59,963 | $46,638 |
| 4 | $72,338 | $56,263 |
| 5 | $84,713 | $65,888 |
| 6 | $97,088 | $75,313 |
| 7 | $109,463 | $85,138 |
| 8 | $121,838 | $94,763 |
| For an unmarried parent, the AGI + Foreign Income Exclusion Amount threshold is based on 225% of the 2025 federal poverty level, given family size. | For married parents, the AGI + Foreign Income Exclusion Amount threshold is based on 175% of the 2025 federal poverty level, given family size. |
TIP: Your Adjusted Gross Income can be found on your personal tax return, 1040, line 11 and Foreign Income Exclusion Amount can be found on Schedule 1, Line 8d.