Grants for College in 2026-27: Pell, FSEOG, TEACH and State

The biggest grants for college in 2026-27 are the federal Pell Grant, which pays up to $7,395, FSEOG at $100 to $4,000, and your state’s grant. One application covers all three: the FAFSA.

Grants are the aid you generally keep. The catch is that you only get them if you file. The high school class of 2023 left more than $4 billion in Pell Grants unclaimed by not completing a FAFSA, according to the National College Attainment Network. Source · NCAN, January 2024

Two forms are open right now. The 2026-27 FAFSA covers school through June 30, 2027. The 2027-28 FAFSA launched on September 23, 2026 and covers July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028. Source · U.S. Department of Education

Grants are gift aid, with a few cases where you repay

A federal grant generally does not have to be repaid. StudentAid.gov lists the exceptions: you withdraw before the term ends, your enrollment drops, outside aid reduces your need, you get Pell from two schools at once, or you do not meet a TEACH Grant’s teaching obligation. Source · StudentAid.gov, Grants

If you owe money back, your school tells you. You then have 45 days to repay or set up a payment arrangement, or you lose eligibility for more federal aid.

Pell pays up to $7,395 and every eligible student gets it

Pell is the base of most aid packages. Each school receives enough money to pay every eligible student the full amount they qualify for, so Pell never runs out. Source · StudentAid.gov, Pell Grants

You qualify in one of three ways for 2026-27:

• Maximum Pell ($7,395) when you did not have to file a tax return, when 2024 AGI is at or below 175% of the poverty guideline (225% for single parents), or when your Student Aid Index (SAI) is 0 or less.
• Calculated Pell when your SAI is 1 to 6,655: $7,395 minus the SAI, rounded to the nearest $5.
• Minimum Pell ($740) when a second income test passes and your SAI is under 14,790.

An SAI of 14,790 or more rules out Pell for 2026-27. Our Pell Grant income limits guide has every income line by family size. Source · FSA Handbook 2026-27, Vol. 7, Ch. 2

FSEOG adds $100 to $4,000 at schools that offer it

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant pays between $100 and $4,000 a year to undergraduates with exceptional need. Your amount depends on your need, when you apply, your other aid and your school’s funds. Source · StudentAid.gov, FSEOG

Unlike Pell, FSEOG is a fixed pot at each school, and not every school takes part. Students with the lowest SAIs who also get Pell have first claim. What is left goes to other students with the lowest SAIs. Source · FSA Handbook 2026-27, Vol. 6, Ch. 6

TEACH pays up to $4,000 a year, but it becomes a loan if you do not teach

The TEACH Grant goes to students in programs that prepare them to teach a high-need subject. Unlike Pell and FSEOG, it is not based on need. You generally need a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25, or a score above the 75th percentile on part of an admissions test. Source · StudentAid.gov, TEACH Grants

The statutory maximum is $4,000 a year. Federal budget sequestration cut awards first paid between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2026 to $3,772. StudentAid.gov had not posted the figure for later awards when we checked on September 29, 2026.

Pell Grant

Undergraduates

Per year

$740 to $7,395 (2026-27)

Based on

Income, family size and SAI

Funding

Every eligible student is paid

Repay?

Only in the cases above

FSEOG

Undergraduates

Per year

$100 to $4,000

Based on

Exceptional need; Pell recipients first

Funding

Fixed amount per school

Repay?

Only in the cases above

TEACH Grant

Future teachers

Per year

Up to $4,000 ($3,772 after sequestration)

Based on

Program, grades and a teaching agreement

Funding

Participating schools and programs

Repay?

Becomes a loan if you do not teach

Four state grants pay more than the maximum Pell

State grants are separate money that stacks on federal aid. Most states use the FAFSA to award them, and some pay more than Pell does.

State	Program	Maximum	2027-28 FAFSA deadline
California	Cal Grant B	$17,236/yr at a UC (2026-27)	March 2, 2027, with a school-certified GPA
Washington	Washington College Grant	$13,203/yr at a public 4-year (2026-27)	As soon as possible
Illinois	MAP Grant	$8,400/yr (2025-26)	As soon as possible; paid until funds run out
Oregon	Oregon Opportunity Grant	$8,352/yr at a 4-year school (2026-27)	As soon as possible; paid until funds run out
Pennsylvania	PA State Grant	$6,000/yr (2026-27)	May 1, 2027 for most students
New York	Tuition Assistance Program	$5,665/yr (2025-26)	June 30, 2028
Texas	TEXAS Grant	$5,399 per semester (2026-27)	January 15, 2027 (priority)

State California

Program Cal Grant B

Maximum $17,236/yr at a UC (2026-27)

2027-28 FAFSA deadline March 2, 2027, with a school-certified GPA

State Washington

Program Washington College Grant

Maximum $13,203/yr at a public 4-year (2026-27)

2027-28 FAFSA deadline As soon as possible

State Illinois

Program MAP Grant

Maximum $8,400/yr (2025-26)

2027-28 FAFSA deadline As soon as possible; paid until funds run out

State Oregon

Program Oregon Opportunity Grant

Maximum $8,352/yr at a 4-year school (2026-27)

2027-28 FAFSA deadline As soon as possible; paid until funds run out

State Pennsylvania

Program PA State Grant

Maximum $6,000/yr (2026-27)

2027-28 FAFSA deadline May 1, 2027 for most students

State New York

Program Tuition Assistance Program

Maximum $5,665/yr (2025-26)

2027-28 FAFSA deadline June 30, 2028

State Texas

Program TEXAS Grant

Maximum $5,399 per semester (2026-27)

2027-28 FAFSA deadline January 15, 2027 (priority)

At a private nonprofit college in California, Pell ($7,395), FSEOG (up to $4,000) and Cal Grant A (up to $9,358) reach $20,753 a year. For 2026-27, Cal Grant A at a private nonprofit ranges from $4,000 to $9,358. Source · California Student Aid Commission

Our state financial aid guide covers every state’s main program.

State deadlines for 2027-28 start in January 2027

The federal deadline is generous: June 30, 2028 for the 2027-28 form. State deadlines come much sooner, and several states pay until their money runs out. Source · StudentAid.gov, FAFSA Deadlines

1. Sept. 23, 2026

   2027-28 FAFSA opens

   Illinois, Kentucky, North Dakota, Vermont, Washington and Oregon’s Opportunity Grant ask for the FAFSA as soon as possible.

2. Jan. 15, 2027

   Texas priority deadline
3. March 1 and 2, 2027

   Maryland, Idaho, then California

   Cal Grant also needs a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2027.

4. April 15, 2027

   Indiana deadline

   Covers the Frank O’Bannon Grant and the Adult Student Grant.

5. May 1, 2027

   Pennsylvania deadline for most students
6. June 30, 2028

   Federal deadline for 2027-28

Missing a state deadline does not affect your federal aid, so file even if yours has passed.

Colleges give the biggest grants at private schools

The third source is the college itself. At private nonprofit four-year colleges, first-time full-time students averaged $27,240 in grant aid in 2022-23, and 88% of it came from the colleges. At public four-year colleges the average for in-state students was $9,360, and 52% came from the schools. Source · College Board, Trends 2025

That is why sticker price is a poor guide. Compare offers on what is left after grants, and use each school’s net price calculator before you apply. For awards from foundations and employers, see our scholarships for adults guide.

Five steps to the most grant money

1. File the FAFSA for the year you start

   Starting before July 2027? Use the 2026-27 form. Starting in fall 2027 or later? File the 2027-28 form now; it reads your 2025 tax return.

2. Beat your state's deadline

   First-come states pay until funds run out. Priority deadlines in Texas, Maryland and California fall between January and March 2027.

3. List every school you are considering

   A school receives your FAFSA information only if you list it, so add every school you might attend.

4. Ask for a special-circumstances review if your income dropped

   Aid officers can adjust FAFSA data for job loss, medical costs, dependent care or another family member in college. The adjustment applies only at that school, and its decision is final. Source · FSA Handbook, AVG Ch. 5

5. Answer verification requests quickly

   If your school asks for documents, your aid is not final until you send them.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to pay back a college grant?

Usually not. You may have to repay part of a federal grant if you withdraw early, drop enrollment, receive outside aid that reduces your need, or get Pell from two schools at once. A TEACH Grant becomes a loan if you do not complete the teaching obligation.

Can I get a grant if I already have a bachelor’s degree?

Not Pell or FSEOG, in most cases. The exceptions are a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program or an eligible short workforce program. TEACH Grants are open to graduate and post-baccalaureate students in eligible teaching programs.

Is there an age limit for Pell?

No. Pell’s eligibility rules set no age cap, and students 24 and older file as independent, so their parents’ income does not count.

Your next step: see which grants fit you

Pell is the only grant with a formula you can run in advance. The aid check does that for your household, then shows which state and campus grants are possible and where your federal loan limits sit.