Highlights
Complete a FAFSA® Application
Need-based awarding
Do Not Need To Be Repaid
General Information
A Pell Grant is free money for college that you don’t have to pay back. It is given to students who need financial help. To see if you are eligible for one, you need to fill out the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is used to determine eligibility. This formula looks at:
Your Pell Grant amount might change each semester. If you have questions, visit the Financial Aid office in Kimball 196 or use the chat bubble on this page.
How much you are offered is based on how many Program Applicable classes you take. Each credit counts as a percentage of the total money you could get. Here’s how it works:
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is used to determine eligibility. This formula looks at:
- The information you provide on the FAFSA
- Poverty guidelines
- Your enrollment
Your Pell Grant amount might change each semester. If you have questions, visit the Financial Aid office in Kimball 196 or use the chat bubble on this page.
How much you are offered is based on how many Program Applicable classes you take. Each credit counts as a percentage of the total money you could get. Here’s how it works:
| Credit hours | 12+ | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Intensity | 100% | 92% | 83% | 75% | 67% | 58% | 50% | 42% | 33% | 25% | 17% | 8% |
If you add or drop classes before the Financial Aid Determination Date (FADD) your aid will change.
Terms To Know
- SAI (Student Aid Index): New formula that determines your aid eligibilty, it replaces EFC.
- Maximum Pell: You automatically qualify for the full Pell Grant amount.
- Minimum Pell: You qualify for the minimum Pell Grant amount.
- SAI Calculated Pell: If you do not have Maximum Pell or Minimum Pell, but your SAI is below the Max Pell threshold, your SAI will be used to determine your Pell Grant amount.
Application
FAFSA® Application Required
Priority consideration will be given to students who complete the FAFSA® by March 1st. Awarding is based on available funds, so complete FAFSA® as soon as you can. Complete the FAFSA® Application by your first semester’s priority deadline to avoid late fees.
FAFSA® Application
FAFSA® Application
Receiving a Pell Grant
You are able to get a Pell Grant for all three semesters (up to 36 credits in one school year) at BYU-Idaho. This is like getting three full-time Pell Grants (12 credits each) in one school year.
If you take fewer than 12 credits in a semester:
Pell Grant Limit
You can receive up to 600% of Pell Grant funds while earning your first bachelor’s degree. This means:
You can check how much you’ve used in your lifetime at studentaid.gov.
If you take fewer than 12 credits in a semester:
- You might get Pell Grants for four different semesters in one year.
Example:
Fall 2024: 10 credits
Winter 2025: 10 credits
For Spring 2025 you will have 12 credits of eligibility remaining
Pell Grant Limit
You can receive up to 600% of Pell Grant funds while earning your first bachelor’s degree. This means:
- If you take 12 or more credits each semester, you can get Pell Grants for up to 12 semesters.
- If you take fewer classes, you might get Pell for more semesters.
You can check how much you’ve used in your lifetime at studentaid.gov.
Maintaining Your Pell Grant
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If your FAFSA® summary doesn’t say you’re Pell Eligible, you won’t get a Pell Grant. -
Your Pell Grant amount can change if you add or drop classes before the FADD.
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If you drop classes, quit school, or don’t go to class, you might have to pay back your Pell Grant.
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You must meet Satisfactory Academic Standards (SAP) to remain eligible.
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You can’t receive Pell Grants at more than one school at the same time.
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You can’t receive Pell Grants for a disqualified repeat course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can and should still fill out the FAFSA®. Missing the priority deadline does not mean you have missed out on all financial aid. The FAFSA® Application Deadline is the absolute last day to sub...
For the most part, no. But if you drop classes, quit school, or don’t go to class, you might have to pay back your Pell Grant. If you do need to repay any of the Pell Grant, BYU-Idaho will notify you....
After completing the FAFSA, you will receive an email explaining what federal aid you qualify for. If you qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, you will be able to see it in your Financial Aid Portal. To ...
The Pell Grant is not infinite. You can receive up to 600% of Pell Grant funds while earning your first bachelor’s degree. Each full-time semester counts as 50%, so by taking 12 or more credits per se...