27% of Undergrads Receive Federal Pell Grant
Paying for a UC Berkeley education is within your reach. Federal Pell Grants are federally funded grants that help more than 7 million students pay their educational expenses each year.
How to Apply
Apply for the Federal Pell Grant each October for the upcoming school year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Read the most current Federal Pell Grant information from the Department of Education, including award amounts.
Annual Pell grants are awarded based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by your FAFSA. If initially ineligible for a Pell grant, but your EFC changes during the year making you eligible, your Pell grant award will be determined based on both the EFC and your enrollment level at the time of awarding.
Please note:
- We measure your enrollment for Federal Pell Grant at the end of the fifth week each semester. If you are awarded an initial Pell grant (conditional Federal Pell Grant or Federal Pell Grant) before the end of the fifth week of the semester and are enrolled in less than 12 units at the end of the fifth week, your Pell award will be reduced.
- If you are awarded an initial Federal Pell Grant (conditional Federal Pell Grant or Federal Pell Grant) after the fifth week of the semester, your Pell award will be based on your enrollment at the time the Pell is awarded.
- In compliance with federal regulations, students who did not attend a course in a given semester are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant for that course. If we learn that you have not attended a course or courses, your Pell award will be reduced.
- If your Pell award is first disbursed after the end of a semester, the award will be based on the units completed at the time of disbursement.
Students will be notified of Federal Pell Grant adjustments that are based on one of the reasons listed above.
Annual award amounts are prorated (reduced) if you enroll in less than 12 units per term, following the chart shown below.
| Enrollment Status | Units | Percent Disbursed |
|---|---|---|
| Less than Half-time | Less than 6 | 25% |
| Half-time | 6–8.5 | 50% |
| Three-quarter time | 9–11.5 | 75% |
| Full-time | 12 or more | 100% |