Proposed Pell Grant changes raise concerns for tribal colleges

Tribal college leaders are warning that proposed federal changes to Pell Grant eligibility and funding could disproportionately impact Native students, according to reporting by ICT. Cheryl Crazy Bull, CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said nearly 80 percent of tribal college and university students are eligible for Pell Grants, which provide up to $7,395 annually for low-income students.

The U.S. House of Representatives has proposed raising the annual credit hour requirement from 24 to 30 beginning July 1, while also reducing the maximum award by $1,000 in the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal. Dawn Frank, president of Oglala Lakota College, said the changes would especially affect non-traditional students, who make up about 60% of the college’s enrollment. Moriah O’Brien of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium added that the proposed cuts could cause students to go into debt.