Word In Black: Why We Need to Protect Pell Grants for Black Students
New proposed restrictions on grant eligibility, compounded by FAFSA delays, will derail college dreams for Black high schoolers before they even apply.
By Quintessa Williams at Word In Black
May 6, 2025
As FAFSA delays, glitches, and uncertainty continue to cloud their college plans, Black high school students across the country are facing a new financial aid crisis — one that could leave many Black, low-income students unsure if a bachelor’s degree is financially within reach.
Congress has advanced a bill which would raise the number of credit hours students must take to qualify for the maximum Pell Grant from 12 to 15 per semester. While officials describe it as just three additional credits, the increase could place a heavy burden on low-income students — many of whom are working or caring for family — slashing their Pell award by up to $1,479 if they can’t meet the new threshold.
“For many students we serve, that $1,479 isn’t a rounding error — it’s the difference between starting college and never setting foot on campus,” says Steve Colón, Chief Executive Officer of Bottom Line, a national nonprofit that supports first-generation and low-income students from high school through college.
“We’re not just advocating to preserve Pell Grant funding. We’re fighting to protect its flexibility, because that’s what allows our students to balance school, work, and life.”
A System Stacked Against Black Students
Nearly 60% of Black college students rely on Pell Grants, according to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. At Bottom Line, where 46.2% of high school students are Black and 96% come from low-income households, Pell Grants are critical to paying for college, and the stakes are especially high.
Colón says many of these students have duties outside of school; they deliberately enroll in 12 credit hours rather than the standard 15 hours in order “to balance jobs, academic demands, and family obligations.” If the new policy passes, he says, these choices students make to survive could end up costing them everything.
“High schoolers frequently factor in employment when assessing how college could be financially possible,” he adds. “The great thing about the Pell program is that it’s flexible. This eligibility shift would restrict the program in ways that would be detrimental to recipients who rely on it the most.”
At the same time, while seniors are completing the FAFSA applications at higher rates than last year, Black, low-income students are still falling behind.
According to the 2025 National College Attainment Network report, more than 40% of Black enrollment is showing slower progress compared to schools with fewer students of color. This shows that even with a smoother process, Black students and their families are still waiting now more than ever to see if college is still within reach.
Don’t Let This System Break Their Hope
At Bottom Line, Colón says the concern isn’t just about money. It’s about motivation, too. If students and families lose trust in the system before graduation, they may walk away from higher education altogether. And with the Pell program under legislative threat and FAFSA chaos continuing, that disillusionment is spreading fast.
“College affordability is the central concern for students and families as they plan what to do post high school,” he says. “The historic stability of the Pell Grant has been a key factor in helping students believe that their dreams of a college degree are possible. If high school students can’t envision where their aid will come from, it’s harder for them to see college as an option.”
Colón believes the ripple effects could be long-lasting.
“Changing eligibility requirements will limit access to higher education and make it harder to pursue a degree and a career that leads to economic mobility,” he says. “This will ultimately have a direct impact on our communities and our economy because there will be fewer individuals entering our workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge required for high, in-demand jobs.”
What We Owe Black Students Right Now
What happens next will depend on how schools, communities, and the public respond. While Congress weighs whether to restructure a program that serves millions, Colón says it’s now more important than ever for those working closest to students to stay grounded and vigilant.
His message to educators, nonprofit leaders, and parents is to not disappear on their students.
“Be a relentless ally,” he says. “That means standing by students through every hurdle, being a consistent source of reassurance, knowledge, and support, checking in on their needs, and helping them think through all possible pathways to success.”