Initial Awards
Initial awards for grants are based on full-time enrollment. If you are not enrolled full-time, the grant will be reduced based on your actual enrollment after the drop/add period.
*Students admitted to a STEP Pathway will be awarded based on three-quarter time enrollment for the first term.
Pell Grant
The Pell Grant is awarded to students with high financial need who are completing a first bachelor's degree. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the amount of the grant is based on the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment status. Starting in 2024-2025, the amount of the Pell grant is based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) and enrollment. Award amounts can change yearly. Students can receive the Pell Grant for no more than 12 full-time semesters (including summer). Students will be notified on their Student Aid Report (2023-2024 FAFSA) or FAFSA Submission Summary (2024-2025 FAFSA) when they are approaching the lifetime Pell limit. To receive the Pell Grant you must meet the requirements and Submit the FAFSA. Learn more about the Federal Pell Grant.
Awards
If you have been offered a Pell grant on your financial aid award letter, the amount offered is based on full time enrollment. The Pell Grant is available at any enrollment level and it is based on your EFC (2023-2024 FAFSA) or SAI (2024-2025 FAFSA).
Students are expected to complete all registered classes to avoid possible repayment of financial aid, including the Pell Grant.
If you received aid at another college, or are close to the lifetime maximum limit of 600%, you may not receive the full amount of the "Term Award" and/or the "Maximum Annual Award".
Enrollment Intensity
Beginning with the 2024-2025 aid year, the Pell Grant will no longer be based on enrollment status. Instead, Pell Grant disbursement amounts will now be calculated using Enrollment Intensity - which is a percentage value based on the number of credits a student is enrolled for during a term. For federal student aid purposes, full-time enrollment is 12 credit hours.
The chart below illustrates enrollment intensity relative to full-time enrollment. Note that enrollment intensity cannot exceed 100% for purposes of Pell Grant proration.
| Credit Hours | Enrollment Category (Old) | Enrollment Intensity (New) |
| 12 (or more) | Full-Time | 100% |
| 11 | Three-Quarter Time | 92% |
| 10 | 83% | |
| 9 | 75% | |
| 8 | Half-Time | 67% |
| 7 | 58% | |
| 6 | 50% | |
| 5 | Less-than-Half-Time | 42% |
| 4 | 33% | |
| 3 | 25% | |
| 2 | 17% | |
| 1 | 8% |
Summer Session
A student could be eligible for a Pell Grant for the summer session in two ways.
- In the event a Pell Grant recipient does not use his/her full award to attend full time both fall and spring, any remaining funds can be used in the summer session if the student meets the enrollment criteria.
- Starting summer 2018, Pell Grant regulations allow a student to receive additional funds to accelerate his/her academic career. To receive the additional Pell Grant, a student must enroll in a minimum of 6 credits in his/her major for the summer session.
The Financial Aid Office is required to recalculate eligibility for the Pell Grant after the add/drop period for each session. Students who are registered for at least one course in Session B, will have the Pell Grant recalculated based on current enrollment for the term after the add/drop period for Session B. Dropping Session A/C enrollment (with DR grade) may reduce the amount of the Pell Grant for the term, resulting in a balance due and immediately repayable to FIU.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
FSEOG is a federal grant awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients will receive priority and award amount varies, up to $4,000 for the academic year. Learn more about FSEOG.
Requirements
- Submit the FAFSA
- Have a SAI of -1500 to 6656
- Must be an undergraduate student
- Must NOT have a previous bachelor’s degree
Awards
| Enrollment Per Semester | Award Per Semester | Maximum Annual Award |
|---|---|---|
| 12 + credits | Varies | Varies |
| 9-11 credits | 3/4 of Amount | 3/4 of Amount |
| 6-8 credits | 1/2 of Amount | 1/2 of Amount |
TEACH Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education, or TEACH Grant, provides up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete course work needed to begin a career in teaching.
To receive the TEACH Grant you must meet the requirements and Submit the FAFSA. Learn more about the Federal TEACH Grant.
Requirements
To receive a TEACH Grant you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Submit the FAFSA
- Be admitted to an eligible degree seeking program
- Must have a minimum GPA of 3.25 for each term awarded the grant
- Undergraduate students must be in their 3rd, 4th or 5th year
- Must be enrolled in coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching in a high-need field, which includes subjects on the nationwide shortage area list. The list can be found at Teacher Shortage Areas list, which is updated each year by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Be enrolled for at least half-time during the semester the award is received (fall/spring). The TEACH grant will be prorated based on enrollment status. Undergraduate: full time (12+ credits), three-quarters time (9-11 credits), and half-time (6-8 credits). Graduate: Full-time (9+ credits), half-time (5-8 credits). TEACH grant is not offered in the Summer term
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Complete the TEACH Grant Agreement To Serve or Repay for every academic year the grant is awarded
- Complete the FIU TEACH Grant Request Form.
Agreement to Serve
As a condition for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve or Repay in which you agree to teach:
- In a high-need field
- At an elementary school, secondary school, or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families
- For at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant
Disclaimer
This page provides a preliminary summary of the TEACH Grant Program based on the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007. The information on this page is subject to change and is not binding on the Department of Education.