Pell Grant Eligibility Calculator (2027–28)
Find out in a minute whether your family's income meets the federal income test for the maximum or minimum Pell Grant in the 2027–28 school year (the FAFSA that opened October 1, 2026). It uses the Department of Education's published rules and the 2025 HHS poverty guidelines. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
AGI is line 11 of IRS Form 1040. If anyone excluded foreign earned income, add that amount too. Family size generally matches the number of people on the 2025 tax return: the filer(s) plus everyone claimed. The FAFSA can adjust it in some cases; see Appendix C (Family Size) of the 2027–28 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide.
How the Pell income test works for 2027–28
- Maximum Pell. You qualify for the full award if the people whose income counts did not file a federal tax return, or if their AGI (plus any foreign earned income exclusion) is above zero and at or below 175% of the poverty guideline for your family size and state. A single parent gets a higher limit of 225%.
- Calculated Pell. Everyone else gets a Student Aid Index (SAI) from the full FAFSA formula. A low enough SAI still earns a partial Pell Grant.
- Minimum Pell. If your SAI is too high for a calculated award, you can still get the minimum Pell if AGI is at or below 275% of the guideline (325% for a single parent of a dependent student) and your SAI is under twice the year's maximum Pell award. Independent students use 400% (single parent), 350% (other parents) or 275% (not a parent).
Who counts as a single parent? Someone who is not married and either files as head of household or qualifying surviving spouse, or received the Earned Income Tax Credit. For an independent student, they must also have dependents.
2027–28 Pell income limits by family size (48 states and DC)
Limits are the 2025 HHS poverty guideline times each percentage, rounded to the nearest dollar, as the Federal Student Aid guide instructs. Alaska and Hawaii use higher guidelines; pick your state in the calculator above.
| Family size | 2025 poverty guideline | Max Pell, parents not single (175%) | Max Pell, single parent (225%) | Min Pell, parents not single (275%) | Min Pell, single parent (325%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $27,388 | $35,213 | $43,038 | $50,863 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $37,013 | $47,588 | $58,163 | $68,738 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $46,638 | $59,963 | $73,288 | $86,613 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $56,263 | $72,338 | $88,413 | $104,488 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $65,888 | $84,713 | $103,538 | $122,363 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $75,513 | $97,088 | $118,663 | $140,238 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $85,138 | $109,463 | $133,788 | $158,113 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $94,763 | $121,838 | $148,913 | $175,988 |
| Family size | 2025 poverty guideline | Max Pell, not single parent (175%) | Max Pell, single parent (225%) | Min Pell, not a parent (275%) | Min Pell, parent, not single (350%) | Min Pell, single parent (400%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $27,388 | $35,213 | $43,038 | $54,775 | $62,600 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $37,013 | $47,588 | $58,163 | $74,025 | $84,600 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $46,638 | $59,963 | $73,288 | $93,275 | $106,600 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $56,263 | $72,338 | $88,413 | $112,525 | $128,600 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $65,888 | $84,713 | $103,538 | $131,775 | $150,600 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $75,513 | $97,088 | $118,663 | $151,025 | $172,600 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $85,138 | $109,463 | $133,788 | $170,275 | $194,600 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $94,763 | $121,838 | $148,913 | $189,525 | $216,600 |
Families larger than 8: add $5,500 to the guideline for each extra person ($6,880 in Alaska, $6,330 in Hawaii), then apply the percentage.
Next steps
- File the 2027–28 FAFSA as early as you can. It is the only way to get Pell, and many state grants are first-come, first-served.
- Going to a career or technical program? See paying for trade school for Pell and Workforce Pell program rules.
- Add up the rest with the gap after scholarships calculator, and see real net prices in the college cost & aid estimator.
- Stack scholarships closing soon on top of Pell. Pell doesn't have to be repaid, and neither do scholarships.
Sources: Federal Student Aid, 2027–28 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide (Steps 1 and 3, Appendix G) · HHS 2025 poverty guidelines (Federal Register, Jan. 17, 2025) · FSA Handbook 2026–27, Calculating Pell Grants · StudentAid.gov, Federal Pell Grants ($7,395 maximum for 2026–27)
This checks the income test only. It is not your official Pell award. You also need to be an undergraduate without a bachelor's degree (with limited exceptions), meet the general federal aid rules, and enroll in an eligible program. Your school calculates your actual Pell amount from your FAFSA results, cost of attendance and enrollment. The 2027–28 maximum award had not been announced when this page was last updated, so dollar amounts use the 2026–27 maximum of $7,395.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for the maximum Pell Grant in 2027–28?
Parents' (or an independent student's) AGI at or below 175% of the 2025 HHS poverty guideline, or 225% for a single parent. For a family of four in the 48 states and DC that is $56,263, or $72,338 for a single parent. Families that did not file a federal tax return also qualify.
What is the income limit for the minimum Pell Grant?
For dependent students, parents' AGI at or below 275% of the poverty guideline (325% for a single parent): $88,413 or $104,488 for a family of four. The Student Aid Index must also be under twice the maximum Pell award.
Which poverty guidelines does the 2027–28 FAFSA use?
The 2025 HHS poverty guidelines. Federal Student Aid uses the guidelines for the prior-prior tax year, by state of residence, with separate figures for Alaska and Hawaii.
How much is the maximum Pell Grant?
$7,395 for 2026–27, according to StudentAid.gov. The 2027–28 amount had not been announced when this page was updated.
Is this Pell Grant calculator free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up, and runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to us.
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