The Issue:

Under the Big, Beautiful Bill, only “full-time” students would be eligible for the maximum Pell Grant. Full-time status would increase from 12 to 15 credit hours per semester, harming working students or those with families the most. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the nonpartisan economic and budget analytics arm of Congress, estimates more than 3 million students would be impacted by the eligibility changes.

Who it Affects:

Low- and middle-income college students and aspiring college students, and in particular, tribal college students, 75% of whom receive Pell Grants.

What You Can Do: 

Contact your elected Representatives today and ask them to support the Pell provisions as written in the Senate bill. The Senate provisions prevent deep cuts to the Pell Grant program and provide $10.5 billion in funding to put Pell on a financially sustainable path. Cutting the Pell Grant Program will create unnecessary barriers to achieving a higher education for low-income students, especially American Indian and Alaska Natives.

Take Action:

On behalf of American Indian students, of which more than 75% rely upon Pell Grants for Funding, we thank you for your ongoing work to engage with your elected officials regarding Pell Grants. As a result of your letters and calls, there has been significant progress in the Senate version of the bill affecting Pell Grants.

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) reports the Senate education committee has not proposed any changes to student eligibility for the Pell Grant program. Instead, the Senate bill draft includes provisions to strengthen the Pell Grant program by providing additional funding and expanding access to the program to workforce-focused programs.

• No Changes to Eligibility: Unlike the House bill, the Senate draft does not increase credit hour requirements or restrict part-time student eligibility—both of which would have impacted nearly 70% of TCU Pell recipients.
• Additional Funding: The bill provides $10.5 billion in new Pell funding for FY2026 to address a projected shortfall.
• Expanded Access: Pell Grants will expand to include short-term, workforce-focused training programs that meet specific outcome standards. This provision broadens opportunities for job-aligned education.

Although this is encouraging news, our work is not finished. The House of Representatives and Senate must agree on a final version of the bill this month. According to the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), the Senate will not go through a committee process and will begin conferencing with the House of Representatives. Congress’s goal is to pass the final reconciliation package by July 4th. The next step to save Pell is to push for the House of Representatives to accept the Senate provisions in the final reconciliation package.

How you can help: Please contact your elected Representatives today and ask them to support the Pell provisions as written in the Senate bill. The Senate provisions prevent deep cuts to the Pell Grant program and provide $10.5 billion in funding to put Pell on a financially sustainable path.

Find Your Representative.

Script:
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP]. I’m calling to ask that [YOUR REPRESENTATIVE’S NAME] oppose cutting the Pell Grant Program or reducing Pell Grant award amounts. These cuts will create unnecessary barriers to achieving a higher education for low-income students, especially American Indian and Alaska Natives.

More than 75% of American Indian and Alaska Native students rely on Pell Grants to access a higher education and would not have the opportunity to do so without them. I am calling to request your vote to pass the provisions as written in the Senate bill to prevent these massive cuts to Pell and to support the Senate bill which will infuse the Pell Grant program with $10.5 billion infusion to put it on a fiscally sustainable path. 

Pell Grants pay for themselves in just 10 years through the higher income taxes paid by more educated workers providing our nation—and Native and rural communities—with the services we need. By reducing Pell Grants, we are sacrificing the dreams of our children, our communities’ and nation’s future economic growth, a strong tax base, and the opportunity for more Americans to earn a family-sustaining income. Educating the next generation of all Americans is critical to our nation’s future. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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