Is a Pell Grant the same as a scholarship?

No. A Pell Grant is a federal grant based on financial need. A scholarship comes from schools, nonprofits, or companies and can be based on merit, background, or field of study. Both are free money you never pay back.

Can you get a Pell Grant and a scholarship at the same time?

Yes. In most cases you can receive both. Your total aid just cannot exceed your cost of attendance.

How much is a Pell Grant worth?

Up to $7,395 per year for full-time students in 2024-25. Part-time students receive a smaller amount.

Do you have to pay back a Pell Grant?

No. A Pell Grant is free money you never have to repay unless you withdraw from school early without completing your program.

Pell Grant vs Scholarship: What Is the Difference and Can You Get Both?

When I was figuring out how to pay for school, someone told me to apply for scholarships. Someone else said to get a Pell Grant. I had no idea these were two different things. I thought they were basically the same.

They are not. Here is everything you need to know about Pell Grants versus scholarships, including the most important part: you can often get both at the same time.

The Quick Comparison

Feature	Pell Grant	Scholarship
Who gives it	Federal government	Schools, nonprofits, companies, states
Based on	Financial need only	Merit, background, major, need, or identity
Maximum amount	$7,395 per year	$500 to full tuition (varies widely)
How to apply	FAFSA only	Separate application for each scholarship
Pay it back?	No	No
Renewable?	Yes, every year you qualify	Some renew, some are one-time

What Is a Pell Grant?

The Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program in the country. It goes to students with financial need. To get it, you fill out the FAFSA. There is no separate application. Your income and household size determine how much you receive.

You can receive up to $7,395 per year as a full-time student. Part-time students get a smaller amount. You can receive a Pell Grant for up to 12 semesters of undergraduate study.

What Is a Scholarship?

A scholarship is free money from a source other than the federal government. Scholarships can come from your school, state agencies, private foundations, companies, or community organizations.

Each scholarship has its own rules. Some are for women returning to school after 35. Some are for people studying nursing or business. Some just need a short essay. Amounts range from a few hundred dollars to full tuition.

Can You Get Both at the Same Time?

Yes. Receiving a Pell Grant does not disqualify you from scholarships, and scholarships do not cancel your Pell Grant. Your total aid just cannot exceed your cost of attendance for the year.

Which One Should You Go After First?

Start with the Pell Grant because it is automatic once you submit the FAFSA. No essays, no competition. If your income qualifies, you get it.

Then apply for scholarships. Even small ones add up. A $1,000 local scholarship plus a $2,000 foundation award plus your Pell Grant can cover a full semester at a community college.

A Stacking Example

Pell Grant: $3,700 (part-time)
State grant: $2,000
Local community scholarship: $1,000
Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award: up to $2,000

That is nearly $9,000 from four sources for a part-time student. At most community colleges, that covers everything.

Not Sure What You Qualify For?

My free grant finder takes about 2 minutes and matches you with every grant, scholarship, and training program available based on where you live and what you want to study.

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