There is no specific income limit to qualify for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Both students and their parents often think their household income makes them ineligible for financial aid. However, the U.S. Department of Education does not have an income cap for federal financial aid.
Eligibility for Pell Grants
For the 2024-2025 FAFSA, a family of four living in the 48 contiguous states making up to $52,500 in AGI qualified for the Maximum Pell Grant.
There is no income that is too high to file a FAFSA. No matter how much you make, you can always submit a FAFSA. Eligibility for need-based financial aid increases as the cost of attendance increases, so even a wealthy student might qualify for financial aid at a higher-cost college.
There are no income limits to apply, and many state and private colleges use the FAFSA to determine your financial aid eligibility.
A common myth is that students from high-income families won't qualify for FAFSA funding. In reality, there's no maximum income cap that determines your eligibility for aid.
Did You Know? There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors—such as the size of your family and your year in school—are considered.
Don't worry, this is a common question for many students. The good news is that the Department of Education doesn't have an official income cutoff to qualify for federal financial aid. So, even if you think your parents' income is too high, it's still worth applying (plus, it's free to apply).
For example, if your citizenship status changed because your visa expired or it was revoked, then you would be ineligible. Other reasons for financial aid disqualification include: Not maintaining satisfactory progress at your college or degree program. Not filling out the FAFSA each year you are enrolled in school.
Technically, no income is too high for the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education recommends filling out the FAFSA yearly, regardless of income. However because FAFSA is needs-based aid, those from lower-income families with a greater financial need get access to more financial aid.
The Pell Grant is indeed a valuable financial aid resource for many college students. While there isn't a strict maximum family income limit for Pell Grant eligibility, the grant is typically awarded to students with financial need, particularly those with an annual family income of $60,000 or below.
Income Protection Allowance:
The student income protection allowance, which stands at $7,600 for 2023-2024, is set to rise to $9,410 for 2024-2025. This amendment will significantly lower the SAI for dependent students.
Even if your family makes multiple six figures a year, you can still get financial aid. That said, not financial aid is created equal. Ideally, you want free money, or grants not loans. Despite earning a six-figure household income, many parents struggle to pay for their children's education without going into debt.
Your or your family's wages, salaries, interest, dividends, etc., minus certain deductions from income as reported on a federal income tax return.
Once you have earned a baccalaureate degree or your first professional degree or have used up all 12 terms of your eligibility, you are no longer eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant.
Verification doesn't necessarily check the student's or parent's bank accounts. Rather, the school will ask for documentation to clarify information provided in the form. These documents can include income tax returns, W-2 forms, and 1099 forms.
Grades Slipped or Haven't Completed Enough Credits. You need to make satisfactory academic progress in college or career school in order to keep getting federal student aid. Talk to your school about whether you can appeal the decision that made you ineligible to continue receiving federal student aid.
With only one child attending college normally an income above $125K will disqualify you from financial aid qualification at a public university, and about double that, or $250K in income will disqualify you from garnering financial aid.
You can only qualify as an independent student on the FAFSA if you are at least 24 years of age, married, on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, financially supporting dependent children, an orphan (both parents deceased), a ward of the court, or an emancipated minor.
You may also be wondering if your parents' savings account will affect your financial aid, yes it may, as cash savings are also counted on FAFSA when calculating your SAI.
What is the maximum income to qualify for FAFSA? There's no income limit that precludes students from qualifying for student aid, so they should complete the FAFSA, regardless of their family income.
Pell Grants are need-based awards. Although students with family incomes up to $45,000 may be eligible, most awards go to students with family incomes below $20,000.
During the 2021/2022 school year, the average parent covered about 43% of their student's college costs using income and savings. Parents covered an additional 8% of that cost by taking out loans, according to the Sallie Mae study. The average total parent contribution came out to $13,000 per year.