Federal Pell Grant is for undergraduates, seeking their first bachelor's degree, who demonstrate significant need. Pell grant awards are up to $6,095 per year. More information on the Pell Grant can be found on the Federal Student Aid website.
Full Time | Three-Quarter Time | Half Time | Less Than Half Time |
12 or more credit hours | 9-11 credit hours | 6-8 credit hours | Less than 6 credit hours |
100% of Pell Grant | 75% of Pell Grant | 50% of Pell Grant | 25% of Pell Grant |
*Students with higher EFC’s may not be eligible for Pell at
less than full time
Lifetime Pell Grants Limits
Beginning in Fall 2012, students are now limited to 12 semesters (or 600%) of Pell Grant eligibility during their lifetime. This change affects all students regardless of when or where they received their first Pell Grant.
You may view your percentage of Pell Grant used by logging into NSLDS. Your 'Lifetime Eligibility Used' percentage will be displayed in the 'Grants' section.
The Department of Education has announced that students that are eligible for Pell Grant may be able to receive a third disbursement of Pell Grant. Governors State University will implement "Year Round Pell Grant" beginning in the summer of 2018.