Recent proposals in Congress to cut Pell Grants threaten higher education access for nearly 500,000 Texas students and thousands more in states like Colorado, Mississippi, and California. Campus leaders and student organizations warn that these changes could significantly hinder financial aid availability, adversely affecting community colleges and the economic future of states. The proposed federal budget aims to reduce Pell Grant eligibility, potentially impacting millions of students. Critics argue that such cuts would not only diminish college access but also cripple economies reliant on educated workforces. Advocacy groups are urging lawmakers to reconsider these significant reductions to student aid.