Taking into account all students who enrolled in postsecondary education for the first time in 1995–96, Pell Grant recipients differed from nonrecipients in where they enrolled. In particular, they were more likely than nonrecipients to attend private for-profit less-than-4-year institutions, which provide primarily short-term occupational training. Pell Grant recipients were less likely than nonrecipients to attend public 4-year, public 2-year, and private not-for-profit 4-year institutions. Differences in enrollment patterns were also notable among full-time students, with 26 percent of Pell Grant recipients attending public 4-year institutions and 22 percent attending private for-profit less-than-4-year institutions. In contrast, 35 percent of full-time nonrecipients attended public 4-year institutions and 8 percent attended private for-profit less-than-4-year institutions.

Because Pell Grant recipients are primarily low-income students, they were more likely than nonrecipients to qualify for and receive additional types of financial aid such as loans, work-study, and other grant aid. Among Pell Grant recipients, those enrolled at private not-for-profit 4-year institutions were more likely than those at other institutions to receive other financial aid.