Poverty guidelines (2024) for 2026-27 Pell
The HHS guidelines that drive the automatic max/min Pell pathways.
The 2026-27 FAFSA uses the prior-prior-year (2024) HHS poverty guidelines for the automatic Pell pathways. Your family's AGI is compared to the guideline for your household size and state group, times a percentage (for example 2.25x or 1.75x for maximum Pell). The contiguous states & DC use one table; Alaska and Hawaii have separate, higher tables shown below.
Source: 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines, 89 FR 2961 (Jan 17, 2024). Data as of June 2026.
48 contiguous states & DC (2024)
| Household size | Annual guideline |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,060 |
| 2 | $20,440 |
| 3 | $25,820 |
| 4 | $31,200 |
| 5 | $36,580 |
| 6 | $41,960 |
| 7 | $47,340 |
| 8 | $52,720 |
| each additional | +$5,380 |
Source: 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines, 89 FR 2961 (Jan 17, 2024). Data as of June 2026.
Alaska (2024)
| Household size | Annual guideline |
|---|---|
| 1 | $18,810 |
| 2 | $25,540 |
| 3 | $32,270 |
| 4 | $39,000 |
| 5 | $45,730 |
| 6 | $52,460 |
| 7 | $59,190 |
| 8 | $65,920 |
| each additional | +$6,730 |
Source: 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines, 89 FR 2961 (Jan 17, 2024). Data as of June 2026.
Hawaii (2024)
| Household size | Annual guideline |
|---|---|
| 1 | $17,310 |
| 2 | $23,500 |
| 3 | $29,690 |
| 4 | $35,880 |
| 5 | $42,070 |
| 6 | $48,260 |
| 7 | $54,450 |
| 8 | $60,640 |
| each additional | +$6,190 |
Source: 2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines, 89 FR 2961 (Jan 17, 2024). Data as of June 2026.
See how these feed the grant in automatic max & min Pell, and try the Pell calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why does 2026-27 use the 2024 poverty guidelines?
The FAFSA uses the prior-prior-year HHS poverty guidelines. Because the 2026-27 award year is built on 2024 income, it pairs that income with the 2024 guidelines for the automatic Pell pathways. The 2025 table only applies to the next award year.
How are the guidelines used for Pell?
Your family's AGI is compared to your household-size guideline times a percentage (e.g. 1.75x or 2.25x for max Pell). If AGI is at or below that product, you automatically qualify for the maximum (or minimum) Pell Grant.
Which guideline applies to me?
Use Alaska or Hawaii if that is your state of legal residence; everyone else (the 48 contiguous states, DC, and territories) uses the contiguous table.
Sources
2024 HHS Poverty Guidelines, 89 FR 2961 (Jan 17, 2024); usage per the U.S. Dept. of Education, 2026-27 SAI and Pell Grant Eligibility Guide. Data as of June 2026 for 2026-27 (using 2024 guidelines). General information, not financial-aid advice. Verify at studentaid.gov.
Last updated: 2026-06-22