Ensuring student access and success requires robust, targeted investments in federal financial aid programs. We support substantial investments in Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), TRIO, GEAR UP, Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS), and Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) through FY27 congressional appropriations requests, signing congressional letters to the Appropriations Committee, and support in any other bills.
While Congress has made significant investments in these programs and protected them from proposed cuts and eliminations in FY26, challenges persist. The current maximum Pell Grant award of $7,395 falls short of covering a full-time community college student's average cost of attendance, estimated at $20,570 ($4,050 in tuition and fees and the remainder including housing, food, course materials, transportation, and, for many, childcare, among other expenses). To address this gap, Congress must raise the maximum award in FY27 with at least a $200 increase to match inflation. Additionally, sustained investments in FSEOG, FWS, TRIO, GEAR UP, and CCAMPIS grants are crucial for fostering student success. It is imperative that lawmakers understand the impact these programs have on their constituents.
President Trump’s budget requests have included proposed cuts to several programs that support student access and success, and the Administration tried to block funding to critical programs, countering congressional intent. It’s critical to share with federal lawmakers how each and every one of the below programs benefits their constituents.
Federal Pell Grant: The Federal Pell Grant is the foundation of federal financial aid, serving approximately 7 million students annually, with nearly one-third of Pell Grant recipients attending community colleges. Increasing the Pell Grant maximum award, at minimum by $200 to combat inflation, promotes affordability and student success for low-income students. It would also reduce students’ need to borrow. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the government recoups the cost of Pell Grants in only ten years, because recipients graduate, earn higher wages, and pay more taxes. As Congress created the new Workforce Pell program for short-term credentials, Congress will need to continue shoring up the program’s long-term financing so it remains a bedrock for students.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): The FSEOG program provides an additional source of grant aid for low-income students beyond Pell Grants. Funds are combined with other types of grants, loans, and work-study assistance to meet total educational expenses. Pell Grant recipients receive priority for FSEOG awards, which range from $100 to $4,000 annually. More than 613,000 community college students receive aid from the FSEOG program annually.
Federal Work-Study (FWS): The Federal Work-Study program leverages resources from schools and the private sector to provide opportunities for students to earn money to pay for college. The program is also designed to encourage students receiving federal financial aid to participate in community service. In addition to providing self-help assistance to students, Federal Work Study funds help support partnerships between the federal government, postsecondary schools, students, and communities.
Federal TRIO programs (TRIO): TRIO programs are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for first-generation and low-income individuals, students with disabilities, and veterans. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist students to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. Many community colleges receive grants for Student Support Services, Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Educational Opportunity Centers.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP): GEAR UP works to increase income-eligible students’ academic skills, help them graduate from high school and then enroll in college. The program uses a cohort model, serving an entire grade from middle school through high school, then to persist from their first year to second year of college.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS): One in five college students are parents, and without child care, they cannot continue in school. The CCAMPIS program supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through campus-based childcare services. Childcare is essential to the academic success of thousands of community college students. CCAMPIS does not duplicate other child care or Head Start programs, which have large waitlists and may not have convenient times, locations, or state rules for students.
Talking Points for FY27 Appropriations:
- Without key federal programs, community college students would not be able to enroll, persist, graduate, and support the local workforce – creating good jobs in your district.
- Protect funding for Pell Grants as the bedrock of federal aid for low-income students. Provide at least a $200 increase to the maximum Pell Grant, and protect the program’s long-term financing in FY27 appropriations and any other bills.
- The federal taxpayer recoups its investment in Pell Grants in only ten years – students graduate, join the workforce, earn higher wages, pay higher taxes, and help the economy.
- Defend Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), a critical support for low-income students to pay for college, and Work-Study for students to learn and earn.
- Support TRIO and GEAR UP college access and success programs for low-income students, first-gen students, and students with disabilities to enter and complete college.
- Bolster Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) so that parenting college students can enroll and complete college.
- Please submit each of these programmatic requests (not earmarks) in your FY27 request to the Appropriations Committee. If you have a form to complete, please share with me. (I can ask [email protected] or [email protected] for help.)
- Please sign the Dear Colleague Letters publicly supporting each program (see handout.)