Pell Grants Under Threat: $9 Billion Funding Cut Looms Ahead

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Annually, around 7 million college students rely on Pell Grants, a half-century-old needs-based initiative, to assist with tuition, fees, living expenses, and room and board. This financial support is available for both four-year and two-year institutions. For students of color and first-generation college attendees, Pell Grants are crucial components of financial aid for roughly 80 million low-income families facing economic challenges. However, the recent federal Education budget proposal for FY 2026, passed by the U.S. House, suggests cutting Pell Grant funding by $9 billion, reducing it to $22.5 billion from 2024’s $31.5 billion. If approved, this would drastically affect grant amounts, eligibility criteria, and the range of institutions participating in the program. Currently, the maximum Pell Grant for the 2025-26 academic year stands at $7,395. The Senate's support would lower it to $5,710 for the 2026-27 year, with stricter requirements limiting access for part-time students and community college attendees, raising concerns among stakeholders.