KU's Pell Advantage
If you’re a prospective KU student with at least a 3.25 GPA and a 22 ACT or 1100 SAT and you’re eligible for a federal Pell Grant, you also may qualify for KU’s Pell Advantage.
The Pell Advantage will cover tuition and campus fees (excludes course fees) for 15 credit hours per semester for four years, through a combination of federal, state and institutional aid sources (approximately $11,166 per year based on 30 credit hours for the 2020-21 academic year). Pell Advantage funding is not available for the summer term.
Eligibility
To qualify for KU’s Pell Advantage for the 2021-22 school year, you must
- Be a Kansas resident graduating from high school in 2020-21
- Enter KU in fall 2021
- Be admitted to KU
- Enroll at KU for the first time in fall 2021
- Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 1, 2020
- Submit any additional requested documentation by June 1, 2021
- Be eligible to receive a Pell Grant when you enter KU
- Have a 3.25+ high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Have at least a 22+ ACT/1100+ SAT (math and evidence-based reading and writing).
- Enroll in a minimum of 12 KU hours each semester
- Be responsible for paying your tuition and fees. (Students whose tuition and fees have been waived — because of participation in ROTC, for example — do not qualify for the Pell Advantage.)
To renew KU’s Pell Advantage, you must
- Submit a complete FAFSA by Feb. 1 annually
- Continue to be Pell-eligible
- Meet KU’s satisfactory academic progress standards
- Complete a minimum of 24 KU hours each academic year and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA
A financial aid and scholarships counselor will review your KU GPA and KU hours at the end of the spring term to establish your continued eligibility.
FAQs
If I become ineligible for the Pell Advantage, can I regain eligibility?
Yes, if, for example, you complete course work or raise your GPA during the summer term or the next academic year.
If I don’t meet the KU GPA and KU hours requirements and lose the KU Pell Advantage, what happens to my federal Pell Grant?
You will still receive the federal Pell Grant if you are making satisfactory academic progress.
If I receive other KU scholarships, will they affect my eligibility for KU’s Pell Advantage?
The commitment of the KU Pell Advantage is to fund tuition and fees through a variety of resources, including institutional awards. If you receive additional aid after the Pell Advantage is awarded, your tuition and fees will still be covered, but the amount of the Pell Advantage may be reduced.
If I receive a scholarship from outside KU, will my KU Pell Advantage be reduced?
Typically, an outside scholarship will not affect your Pell Advantage award. However, your financial aid package cannot exceed your estimated cost of attendance.
When will I learn if I’ve qualified for the Pell Advantage?
We will begin notifying students in mid-December.
How will I learn about my award?
Incoming students will receive an email notifying them of their federal student aid and KU scholarships. You’ll also receive a letter from KU with details about renewal criteria.