FAFSA calculator shows $7740 federal aid but $0 Pell Grant - what does this mean for loans?

The $7,740 federal aid amount refers to the maximum Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans your son is eligible to receive for the academic year. Since your Pell Grant eligibility is $0, your SAI was likely above the threshold for grant eligibility (currently around 7,395 for maximum Pell). For dependent students, the loan limits are typically: - 1st year: $5,500 (max $3,500 subsidized) - 2nd year: $6,500 (max $4,500 subsidized) - 3rd year and beyond: $7,500 (max $5,500 subsidized) But the exact amount can vary based on your specific situation. If the calculator shows $7,740, that's likely his specific eligibility based on cost of attendance at his school minus any other aid. Subsidized loans don't accrue interest while in school, unsubsidized loans do. Both need to be paid back.

im in the same boat. got 0 for pell grant too even tho we dont make that much $$ and the fed aide number is just loans u can take. its BS they expect families to go into major debt just for education. sys tem is broken af

The federal aid number includes your loan eligibility. Since Pell is $0, it means your income/assets were above the Pell threshold. The $7,740 means your son can borrow up to that amount through federal loan programs. It's not automatic though - you still need to accept the specific amount you want through his school's financial aid office after you get the official award letter.

Have you tried calling the Federal Student Aid hotline directly to get clarification? They can explain exactly what the numbers mean for your specific situation. I spent weeks trying to decipher similar numbers on my daughter's FAFSA results before finally getting through to an actual person. I eventually used Claimyr.com to connect with an agent (there's a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ) and got all my questions answered in one call. They explained that the federal aid amount includes your Direct Loan eligibility and any other federal programs you might qualify for. Much better than waiting on hold for hours or trying to interpret the website!

The $7,740 is just your loan eligibility, not grants. But don't despair yet! The FAFSA calculator is just an estimate. When your son's school processes his FAFSA, they might offer institutional scholarships or grants that aren't part of the federal calculation. Also, you mentioned unusual medical expenses - you should definitely submit a Professional Judgment appeal to your financial aid office. This is a formal request asking them to reconsider your aid based on circumstances not reflected in your taxes. Many families successfully increase their aid this way! Just contact the financial aid office at each school he's applying to and ask about their process for Professional Judgment appeals.

DONT TRUST THE CALCULATOR!!!! The official award letter will tell u what hes actually getting. my son had zero pell on calculator but got $2100 when school processed it!!!! Different schools give different amounts too. Some gave him MORE than fafsa said and others gave LESS! So annoying right?!?!?

For your Professional Judgment appeal, you'll need: 1. Medical bills and receipts 2. Proof of payment (bank statements, credit card statements) 3. Insurance claims showing what wasn't covered 4. A breakdown of total expenses 5. A letter explaining the situation Make it organized and clear. Each school has their own form, but these documents will be needed regardless. Some schools are more generous with adjustments than others, but medical expenses are one of the more commonly approved reasons for adjustments.

The calculatur online is BS anyway. I did it with my daughter and it also said 0 pell, then the real award gave us like $1500 in pell grants. IDK why they can't just make the darn thing acurate in the first place!!!!!

Just to clarify for everyone in this thread: 1. The FAFSA calculator shows your federal aid eligibility based on standard formulas 2. Your actual financial aid package will come from each individual school 3. Schools may offer institutional grants/scholarships on top of federal aid 4. Your SAI (Student Aid Index) determines Pell Grant eligibility 5. For 2025-2026, the maximum Pell Grant is approximately $7,395 6. If your SAI is above 7,395, you won't qualify for Pell 7. The "federal aid" amount typically refers to loan eligibility And remember, if you have special circumstances (medical expenses, job loss, etc.), you can request a Professional Judgment review at each school. It's worth the effort if your financial situation has changed.