Press Release: 3/5/2026

Pell Grants Are a Lifeline for College Students. These Students Know

 

Pell Grants help low- and middle-income students afford college each year. But students say Pell Grants don’t cover the full cost of attendance

 March 04, 2026 by Gabriela Montell

 

“All I saw was these big-ticket prices — $15,000, $30,000, $60,000 — and I thought, there’s no way I can afford that,” recalled Jocelyn, a first-gen college graduate whose parents earned about $40,000 combined.

That’s where Pell Grants come in. The Pell program helps over 7 million students from low- and middle-income backgrounds afford college each year. For the millions of students like Jocelyn, the Pell Grant isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s the difference between going to college and staying home.

Pell Grants closed the gap for me. But I worry about my younger cousins, sister, and the next generation. They deserve this opportunity too.

–Nicole, recent college graduate

How Do Students Qualify for a Pell Grant?

The first step in determining a student’s financial aid package is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA form, which was simplified in 2024 to encourage more students to apply. Many don’t know that they will qualify for aid, but the only remedy for that is to apply anyway. The current 2026-27 application period started October 1, 2025, and ends June 30, 2026, though many state and college priority deadlines are March 2nd. High school seniors are encouraged to apply — and some states, like Illinois and Alabama, have made it mandatory. College students must fill the form out every year to qualify for the following school year. The FAFSA not only determines whether a student is eligible for the Pell Grant (based on family income), but colleges use the form to award any scholarships, state aid, work study, and loans. Parents/guardians must also create an account to provide some of the required information, such as a tax return, which can be retrieved directly from the IRS. In 2024, the Department of Education awarded about $120 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study funds. Still, for many students, it’s not enough.

Pell Grants Help — But They Cover Less Than Ever Before

FAFSA completion rates have a trickle-down college success rate. But even with Pell, students say the Pell Grant doesn’t stretch very far. “I’m extremely grateful for Pell Grants,” Sancia said. “But at the same time, it doesn’t cover enough.”

Today, the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395 — but it covers less than one-third of the total cost of attendance (COA), which is more than just tuition; COA includes fees, books, housing, and meals at the average public four-year college. In 1975, Pell covered about three-quarters of those costs.

So, as college prices have risen exponentially, Pell hasn’t kept pace. The result: many students live precariously and often must borrow more, work more, and take longer to graduate — if they graduate at all.

“I don’t live like other students,” Aaliyah said. “I don’t go out. I’m saving to pay my loans after I graduate. And I worry — where will I live? My housing outside of college isn’t stable.”

Student financial aid isn’t an abstract budget debate  — it shows up as stress, debt, and impossible choices. “In my first year, I had to take out loans because I wasn’t given enough aid,” said Aaliyah. “My mom made $50,000, and I only got a $3,000 Pell Grant for the whole year.”

Financial Aid is More Than Just Tuition

“Federal grants are not just a supplement; they are a lifeline,” said Evan. “They pay for textbooks, technology, and basic stability.” This is something that both Congress and institutional leaders need to pay attention to.

“Universities must recognize that financial aid is not just about tuition,” said Lynn, a recent doctoral grad of Columbia University. “Students need support for food, housing, transportation, clothing, and emergencies.” When grants fall short, students often must fill the gap by taking out more student loans — whose repayment programs have recently been made more burdensome — or sacrifice basic needs. In fact, 3.3 million students face food insecurity and are eligible to receive SNAP benefits, but 67%, mainly due to lack of information, don’t receive them. As such, many students rely on on-campus food pantries.

And let’s not forget the 1 in 5 students who are also parents. According to EdTrust analysis, a student-parent would need to work 52 hours per week, on average, to cover child care and tuition costs at a four-year public college or university. Tymika said, “As a parent of three, child-care costs are my biggest financial challenge. Choosing to return to college was an incredibly hard decision — largely because I felt that it was selfish to do so as a working mother.”

Congress Must Act to Fully Fund Pell

Despite Congress providing a one-time $10.5 billion infusion into the Pell program last summer, the program currently has a projected shortfall of approximately $17 billion over the next two fiscal years.

Ironically, Pell’s funding challenges stem partly from its success. Recent bipartisan changes expanded eligibility and made it easier to apply — including FAFSA simplification, which increased access, and expansion of Pell to short-term workforce training programs. Lawmakers from both parties backed these changes because they recognize Pell’s value. But Congress didn’t fully fund the expanded program; in order to realize the full potential of these changes, they must now do just that.

“Pell Grants closed the gap for me,” said Nicole, a recent college graduate. But “I worry about my younger cousins, my sister, and the next generation. They deserve this opportunity too.”

All students deserve the opportunity to further their education. As stories like these show, Pell Grants work. Students depend on federal financial aid. Congress must ensure Pell remains fully funded by taking action this year to ensure that this generation and generations to come can achieve their college aspirations.

Photo by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library