Pell grants will see changes under Trump budget bill

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - President Donald Trump’s budget bill is bringing changes for students.

Starting July 1, 2026, federal Pell grants, aid for low- and middle-income families that doesn’t need to be repaid, are getting an expansion.

Students with a student aid index above double the maximum award will be ineligible for funds.

A new workforce Pell grant will let students in short-term training programs use federal aid to cover the cost.

“Generally, the Pell grant program is the number one thing that the federal government can do to make college affordable,” said Michele Zampini, an associate vice president at the Institute for College Access and Success. “We are always telling Congress the more you invest in Pell grants, the more you’re helping students pay for college, and the more return that the country will get on that investment in their success going forward.”

Zampini says she’s happy the bill did not stick to the original changes it was going to make to Pell grants.

She also added that students should always be weighing and planning out their options.

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