Federal Pell Grant

Eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is based on financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

The amount of your Pell Grant is determined by what is known as the “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC). This is a federal formula that takes into consideration your parents and your own contributions, your family’s size, and family income. In the 2010-11 Academic Year, over 28% of Ball State undergraduate students received a Pell Grant.

To apply for a Pell Grant, you must annually submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit our How to Apply section for more information.

Pell Grant Amounts and Restrictions
Subject to congressional appropriations, a Pell Grant may range from $602 to $5,550 per scheduled award year (two semesters). The amount of your grant will be proportionately reduced if you are enrolled for fewer than 12 hours each semester at Ball State.

Pell Grants are restricted to students pursuing their first undergraduate degrees. You may not receive Pell Grant payments concurrently from more than one institution, even if enrolled part-time at each institution. Lifetime Pell Grant eligibility is limited to the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters.

The amount of the Pell Grant is set at the end of the main campus drop/add period. Awards are not adjusted based on changes in registered hours after that point.

You must begin attendance in all credit hours used to calculate the award or it must be recalculated based on the credit hours actually attended. A recalculation of the award could result in a charge back of part or all of the award.