The maximum amount for the 2008-2009 (July 1,2008 – June 30, 2009) award year is $4,731. In February 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which caps the Pell Grant amount at $5,350 in the 2009-2010 school year.   Before the 2004-2005 school year increase of $50, the Pell Grant was $4,000 for the 2003-2004 school year and $3,750 for the 2002-2003 school year.  As you can tell, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 increased the Pell Grant by 13% when compared to the 2008-2009 award amount.