Pell Grant calculator (2026-27)
From SAI to a dollar award - including the automatic max/min pathways.
For 2026-27, the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395 and the minimum is $740. If your SAI is zero or below you receive the maximum; otherwise the scheduled award is maximum Pell minus your SAI (floored at the minimum) while SAI is at most $6,655. The award is then prorated by enrollment intensity and capped at your cost of attendance. An SAI of $14,790 or more means no Pell. This is an estimate, not an official award.
Source: 2026-27 Federal Pell Grant Maximum and Minimum Award Amounts (Dear Colleague Letter, Jan 30 2026). Data as of June 2026.
SAI-to-Pell reference (2026-27, full-time)
The scheduled (full-time) Pell award at selected SAI values. Part-time students receive a percentage of these amounts.
| Student Aid Index | Scheduled Pell award | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| -$1,500 | $7,395 | Maximum Pell |
| -$1,000 | $7,395 | Maximum Pell |
| -$500 | $7,395 | Maximum Pell |
| $0 | $7,395 | Maximum Pell |
| $1,000 | $6,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $2,000 | $5,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $3,000 | $4,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $4,000 | $3,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $5,000 | $2,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $6,000 | $1,395 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $6,655 | $740 | Max Pell minus SAI |
| $7,000 | $0 | Only via automatic minimum-Pell AGI pathway |
| $10,000 | $0 | Only via automatic minimum-Pell AGI pathway |
| $14,790 | $0 | Not Pell-eligible (SAI >= 2x max) |
Source: 2026-27 Federal Pell Grant Maximum and Minimum Award Amounts (Dear Colleague Letter, Jan 30 2026). Data as of June 2026.
The automatic max & min Pell pathways
Many families qualify for the maximum or minimum Pell automatically, by comparing AGI to the poverty guideline for their household size and state - regardless of the calculated SAI. Read the automatic-max and automatic-zero pathways for the exact multiples.
Frequently asked questions
How is the 2026-27 Pell Grant calculated?
The maximum Pell is $7,395 and the minimum is $740. If your SAI is zero or below you get the maximum; otherwise the scheduled award is the maximum minus your SAI, floored at the minimum, as long as SAI is at most $6,655. Awards are then prorated by enrollment intensity and capped at your cost of attendance. Family AGI versus the poverty guideline can also grant the max or min automatically.
What SAI makes me ineligible for Pell?
An SAI of $14,790 or more - twice the maximum Pell - makes you ineligible for any Pell Grant (with narrow exceptions for certain children of fallen public-safety officers and service members). Between $6,655 and $14,790 you can still qualify only through the automatic minimum-Pell income pathway.
Does part-time enrollment reduce my Pell?
Yes. Since 2024-25, Pell is prorated by enrollment intensity in percentage terms: a half-time student receives 50% of the scheduled award, three-quarter time 75%, and so on. The award is also capped at your cost of attendance.
Sources & accuracy
Pell amounts from the 2026-27 Federal Pell Grant Maximum and Minimum Award Amounts (Dear Colleague Letter, Jan 30 2026); pathways and tables from the U.S. Dept. of Education, 2026-27 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide. Data as of June 2026 for 2026-27. This is an estimate and general information, not financial-aid advice; your official award is set by your school. Verify at studentaid.gov. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-22