Pell Promise

Pell Promise

Pell Promise for Qualified Students

Female student studying and smiling inside with iPad

Carroll College is expanding its Pell Promise to fully cover tuition for qualifying Pell-eligible first-time, first-year students from any state, as well as qualifying transfer students, beginning in fall 2027. 

The expanded Pell Promise builds on the program Carroll launched for Montana students in 2024 and extends the opportunity to students nationwide. To qualify, students must be federal Pell Grant recipients and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Carroll will cover the remaining cost of tuition after applying the student’s federal Pell Grant, at least $3,500 in subsidized federal Stafford loans, and any additional institutional aid. 

The Pell Promise is renewable each year for eligible students who continue to file the FAFSA, qualify for a federal Pell Grant, live in Carroll residence halls, and meet the program’s GPA and credit requirements.

 

Jennifer Glowienka

We have seen the difference the Pell Promise can make for Montana students, and we are excited to extend that opportunity to more students. Opening the program to students from across the country and to transfer students allows us to welcome more students who may not have previously thought a Carroll education was within their reach.

Dr. Jennifer Glowienka President of Carroll College

Why is Carroll College Offering Pell Promise?

The expansion is the latest step in Carroll’s broader effort to make the cost of college clearer and more accessible for students and families. Beginning in fall 2027, Carroll will reduce its published undergraduate tuition by 40 percent, from $43,260 to $26,800, and eliminate general undergraduate fees. The new tuition structure is designed to replace the traditional high-tuition, high-discount model with a more transparent starting price that more closely reflects what students and families actually pay.

Together, the tuition reset and expanded Pell Promise are designed to address two different barriers to college access: the perception created by a high published price and the financial gap that can remain for students with the greatest demonstrated need.

The Pell Promise expansion and the new tuition model are part of a broader effort to make a Carroll education more accessible and the path to enrollment simpler for students and families. Carroll has simplified and accelerated its admission and financial aid processes, including free applications, faster admission decisions, earlier financial aid offers, test-optional admission, and fewer application requirements. The college has also taken steps to streamline the transfer process and has seen an increase in students seeking to transfer to Carroll. These efforts reflect Carroll’s continued focus on removing barriers and creating more pathways for students to pursue a Carroll education. 

The federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to undergraduate students with significant financial need. Eligibility is determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Consistent with its mission, Carroll College is devoted to serving all with humility, especially our under-resourced neighbors. We believe in providing substantial professional and pre-professional programs to individuals, nurturing mind and spirit alike. A thirst for knowledge and free inquiry for people of all faiths and backgrounds unites the campus, and we are proud to expand access to a Catholic, liberal arts education for under-served students. In the tradition of Catholic social justice, Carroll College leads the way in improving lives through opportunity and education.

How to Qualify and Apply for Pell Promise

  • Residency: Must live in the United States.
  • Must reside on-campus.
  • Enrollment Status: Must be a first-time freshman or transfer student enrolling in an undergraduate program for the Fall of 2027.
  • FAFSA Requirement: Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Pell Grant Eligibility: Must qualify for a federal Pell Grant after filing the FAFSA.
  • Loan Acceptance: It is assumed students will accept the maximum subsidized Stafford Loan* included in the financial aid package.
  • Scholarship Composition: The scholarship package consists of a combination of federal aid, Carroll College merit aid, Carroll College need-based gift aid, and a maximum subsidized federal Stafford Loan.*
  • Academic Performance: Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Credit Load: Must enroll in and successfully complete at least 12 credits per semester.
  • Duration: Scholarship is valid for up to eight semesters.
  • Ongoing Eligibility: Must remain federal Pell Grant eligible each year to continue receiving the scholarship.
  • Coverage: Scholarship covers tuition only; external scholarships can be applied toward room and board.
  • Exclusions: Does not cover tuition for summer or winter sessions, study abroad programs, or course/orientation fees.
  • Additional Criteria: Other criteria and exceptions may apply, including considerations for athletic aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office (FAO) for detailed information.

* The maximum subsidized federal Stafford Loan is $3,500 freshman year, $4,500 sophomore year, and $5,500 junior and senior year.

Take the Next Step

Call to Action Background

Lowering our published tuition makes it easier for families to see Carroll as an option from the beginning, while expanding the Pell Promise allows us to provide additional support to students for whom cost remains a significant barrier. These initiatives work together to make our commitment to access much more visible and meaningful.

Dr. Jennifer Glowienka President of Carroll College