What’s Changing?
Beginning with the upcoming 2026-2027 aid year and beyond, several federal updates will affect who qualifies for a Pell Grant and how eligibility is calculated. These changes may impact students differently depending on their financial situation, family income, and scholarship funding.
New SAI Rule for Pell Eligibility
Your Student Aid Index (SAI) now plays a bigger role in determining whether you qualify for a Pell Grant.
- If your SAI is equal to or greater than twice the maximum Pell Grant amount, you will not qualify for a Pell Grant for that academic year.
This means some students who previously received Pell may no longer be eligible under the new formula.
Scholarships, Grants, and Cost of Attendance
Federal rules still require that a student’s total aid cannot exceed their Cost of Attendance (COA).
- If your scholarships or grants fully cover your COA, your Pell Grant (and other aid) will be reduced so that your total aid package does not go over your COA.
This can happen even if you would otherwise qualify for Pell based on your SAI.
What This Means for WSU Students
- Some students may see changes to their Pell eligibility even if their financial situation hasn’t changed.
- Students with high scholarship awards may see their aid reduced.
Our office is here to help you understand how these changes affect your specific situation and what your options look like moving forward. Make an appointment through Navigate or at wichita.edu/finaidappt.