Cougar Pell Promise
Who Can Qualify for the Cougar Pell Promise (Initial Eligibility)?
The CPP is available to eligible undergraduate students, including those who leave on a mission or military service before enrolling and those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
You may qualify for the Cougar Pell Promise if you:
- Apply and are admitted to BYU during your senior year of high school.
- Submit the FAFSA by January 20.
- Complete the BYU scholarship application by February 1.
- Qualify for more than the minimum Pell Grant, which is determined by your FAFSA.
- Complete the financial aid verification within 30 days, if required.
Planning to leave on a mission or military service?
If you're selected for financial aid verification, you must complete it within 30 days and before you leave. Once you receive your mission call, you'll also need to submit a Mission Deferment form to hold your CPP.
For students starting winter semester or graduating mid-year, adjusted FAFSA and scholarship deadlines apply.
How Do I Keep the Cougar Pell Promise?
To keep receiving the Cougar Pell Promise:
- Submit the FAFSA each year by January 20.
- Submit the BYU scholarship application each year by February 1.
- Enroll full-time (at least 12 credits) during fall and winter semesters.
- Maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
How Does the Cougar Pell Promise Work?
The CPP adjusts based on your financial need and the amount of free financial aid you receive.
Here's what to know:
- BYU applies your free financial aid first (such as Pell Grants, tuition benefits, and scholarships).
- The CPP helps cover any remaining LDS tuition costs.
- Students with greater financial need may receive additional CPP support beyond tuition costs.
- If your free aid already covers LDS tuition, you may not receive CPP funds for that semester.
Award amounts are determined each year based on FAFSA information and may change if federal financial aid rules change.
Cougar Pell Promise Award Examples
Every student's situation is different. The examples below show how CPP support may apply in common scenarios. Amounts shown are for example purposes only.
Example 1: Tuition Not Fully Covered by Other Free Aid
- Other free aid does not cover the full cost of LDS tuition.
CPP helps cover the remaining tuition.
Sample breakdown:
LDS Tuition: $3,500
Other free aid: $2,000
CPP: $1,500
Example 2: Higher Financial Need
- Student has greater financial need, as determined by FAFSA results.
CPP may provide additional support beyond covering LDS tuition, depending on overall financial need.
Sample breakdown:
LDS tuition: $3,500
Other free aid: $2,000
CPP: $3,500
Example 3: Tuition Fully Covered by Other Free Aid
- Other free aid already covers LDS tuition.
CPP is not needed for that semester.
Sample breakdown:
LDS tuition: $3,500
Other free aid: $5,000
CPP: $0CPP support may adjust as other free aid changes.
Additional Details
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Toggle ItemHow CPP is Calculated
- Other free aid (tuition benefits, institutional, federal, and third-party scholarships and grants) is applied first.
- CPP may adjust if other free aid changes, even after it has been applied to your tuition account.
- Scholarship amounts offered, whether or not accepted, are included in CPP calculations.
- Student loans and 529 payments do not affect CPP calculations.
- CPP is capped at the value of LDS tuition and applies only to undergraduate tuition.
- You do not need to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to receive CPP.
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Toggle ItemWhat Counts Toward the 8 Semesters
- CPP can be received for up to eight fall and winter semesters.
- A semester counts toward the eight-semester limit even if CPP funds are not used because tuition is fully covered by other free aid.
- CPP does not cover spring or summer terms.
- CPP will not cover tuition charges incurred for withdrawing from a semester or term.
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Toggle ItemEnrollment, Deferments, & Missed Deadlines
- Semesters may be deferred for full-time missionary or active-duty military service.
- Semesters without full-time enrollment (12+ credits) or an approved deferment count against the eight-semester limit.
- Eligibility is forfeited if FAFSA or scholarship deadlines are missed, or if a student falls below a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- Eligibility may be re-established in later years, but forfeited semesters still count toward the eight-semester limit.
- Students who experience unusual circumstances may submit a petition for review.
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Toggle ItemNotifications & Tracking
- CPP notification is sent with your admission decision.
- Award amounts are based on FAFSA information.
- Students can monitor their CPP eligibility and usage in the Cougar Pell section of their My Financial Center (Financial Aid/Scholarships > Cougar Pell).