Federal grants (free money)
| Grant | Amount (2026–27) | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Pell Grant | $740 to $7,395 a year | Undergraduates with financial need who do not have a bachelor’s degree. |
| FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) | $100 to $4,000 a year | Undergraduates with the most financial need. Each school has a limited amount, so file early. |
| TEACH Grant | Up to $3,772 a year (a required 5.7% federal cut lowers the $4,000 maximum) | Students training to teach a high-need subject in a low-income school. |
| Workforce Pell Grant (new from July 2026) | A smaller, prorated Pell Grant | Students in approved short job-training programs (at least 8 but fewer than 15 weeks). Ask your school if your program is approved yet. |
New Pell Grant rules from 2026–27
- If your Student Aid Index (SAI) is $14,790 or higher, you cannot get a 2026–27 Pell Grant (a few exceptions apply). The 2027–28 limit has not been set yet.
- If non-federal grants and scholarships already cover your full cost of attendance, you cannot also get a Pell Grant.
- Part-time students get a smaller Pell Grant.
Careful with TEACH Grants
You must teach full-time in a high-need subject at a school that serves low-income students for at least 4 school years, within 8 years after you finish or leave your program. If you do not, the grant turns into a loan for good, with interest added from the day each grant was paid. Read the rules on studentaid.gov before you accept it.
Federal Work-Study
Work-study gives you a part-time job, often on campus or at a nonprofit. You are paid for the hours you work. Your work-study pay is not counted as income when a future FAFSA figures your SAI. Your school reports it for you. Your school decides the amount, and funds are limited.
State grants and scholarships
Every state has its own aid programs. Many use your FAFSA, and some have early deadlines. Check your state’s deadline on studentaid.gov.
School aid
Colleges give their own grants and scholarships. Some are based on need. Others are based on grades or talent. Your aid offer lists them.
Private scholarships
Companies, nonprofits and community groups give scholarships. See How to Find Scholarships.
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Loans (you pay these back)
Use federal student loans before private loans. Most federal loans have fixed rates and income-based repayment. New limits for graduate students and parents started July 1, 2026. Limits for undergraduates did not change, except for part-time students. See the 2026 loan limits.
Employer tuition help
If you work, ask your employer. If your employer has a qualifying educational assistance program, it can pay up to $5,250 in total each year (2026) toward your tuition and student loans, tax-free.
Sources
- Federal Student Aid: 2026–27 Pell Grant amounts
- Federal Student Aid: One Big Beautiful Bill Act updates
- Federal Student Aid: studentaid.gov (FSEOG, TEACH Grant, work-study)
- Federal Student Aid: FY27 budget cut to TEACH Grants
- Code of Federal Regulations: 34 CFR 686.1 (TEACH Grant service rule)
- IRS: Educational assistance programs FAQ
Last checked: November 6, 2026.
