Most Innovative. Best for Veterans. 2026 U.S. News and World Report Best Regional Colleges North
Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Up to $5,000 annual awards available. Most associate's and bachelor's degrees pre-qualify. See exclusions.
Reasons Why a Student Can be Ineligible for Federal Grants
Learning that you’re not eligible for a federal grant can be disappointing. The U.S. Department of Education lists a few reasons. We included them here for your reference.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) calculates an eligibility index, which is primarily determined by answers to the FAFSA questions below. Each year ED determines Pell Grant eligibility.
- Student’s federal (IRS) financial income and IRS tax
- Student's untaxed income
- Parent’s federal (IRS) financial income and IRS tax
- Parent's untaxed income
- Number of family members in what FAFSA defines as student’s or parent’s ‘family size’
- Student’s and parent’s assets (if assets need to be reported) as of the day the FAFSA was first completed
- State of residency
- Age of parents
Note that parental data impacts eligibility for dependent students, but not for independent students.
If you earned or completed a bachelor’s or graduate degree, you're not eligible for any government grants.
- If you incorrectly answered ‘Yes’ to the question about completing a bachelor’s or graduate degree on your FAFSA, you should change your answer to that question by logging into FAFSA as a returning user.
If you are enrolled as a graduate student in one of Penn College’s Master of Science Degree programs, you are not eligible for federal grants. The last three semesters of the combined Bachelor/Master of Science Physician Assistant Studies program are at the graduate level.
If you didn't achieve Federal SAP, you were or will be notified by the Financial Aid Office.
If you reach the lifetime limit designated for Federal Pell Grants, you won't be eligible for additional federal grants.
Missing federal loan payments can also result in ineligibility. When the Financial Aid team learns about a default, we mail the student a letter.
Overpayments can also result in ineligibility. There are several circumstances that could result in your need to repay a previous federal grant to regain eligibility.
If you have questions about your ineligibility for federal grants, contact the Financial Aid Office at 570.327.4766.
Check out additional financial aid sources including state grants, scholarships, loans, and more.