The American Indian College Fund joins the National College Access Network in urging higher education allies to oppose massive cuts to the Pell Grant program and its support of our most vulnerable students.
The “Big Beautiful Bill” eliminates Pell Grants for an estimated 1.4 million, or 20% of current Pell Grant recipients – specifically including students attending college part-time while they work minimum wage jobs and/or care for family members. More than half of Pell Grant recipients would see their award reduced or eliminated, including more than 75% of Native American students attending a tribal college.
Don’t delay! Raise your voice today to prevent harmful cuts to the Pell Grant program and help hard-working TCU students complete their college educations.
Take Action Today!
Please call your senators today and ask them to Save the Pell Grant Program.
Hi, my name is [NAME] and I’m a constituent from [CITY, ZIP]. I’m calling to demand that [YOUR SENATOR’S NAME] oppose cutting the Pell Grant Program or reducing Pell Grant award amounts, as this will create unnecessary barriers to achieving a higher education for low-income students, especially American Indian and Alaska Natives. Educating the next generation of all Americans is not only a fundamental right, but is also critical to our nation’s future.
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The Issue
Under the Big, Beautiful Bill, only “full-time” students would be eligible for the maximum Pell Grant. This bill would increase full-time status from 12 credit hours per semester to 15 credit hours per semester, harming working students or students with families – those who need support the most.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the nonpartisan economic and budget analytics arm of Congress, estimates that if passed, more than half of current Pell Grant recipients will receive smaller grants and just a fifth of students will enroll in more credit hours to increase their award amount, thereby eradicating a large number of future college graduates who will enter their careers and contribute to the nation’s economy as taxpayers.
The CBO also estimates that if passed, more than 3 million students would be impacted by the eligibility changes and approximately 700,000 students would lose eligibility entirely.
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:
Call your senators and ask them to oppose cutting the Pell Grant Program or reducing Pell Grant award amounts, as this will create unnecessary barriers to achieving a higher education for low-income students, especially American Indian and Alaska Natives. Educating the next generation of all Americans is a fundamental right and critical to our nation’s future.
