"Pell Grants, which provide federal financial aid to low-income college students, are getting a significant expansion this year. A new grant program called Workforce Pell — included in the massive spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law last summer — will open in 2026 to students pursuing short-term job training programs," Money reports.

... "Workforce Pell is the change getting most of the attention this year, but there are others that are 'small but impactful,' says Jill Desjean, director of policy analysis at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators."

... "But that simplicity created a loophole where some wealthier families — ones with low income but still significant assets — qualified for a grant."

"'That’s obviously not the intention of the program,' Desjean says."

... "Students who receive scholarships from schools, states or outside organizations that cover their full cost of attendance will no longer be able to receive a Pell Grant on top of their award."

"Very few people actually qualify for a true full-ride scholarship or cobble together enough separate awards to be affected, Desjean says, noting that it will primarily affect student-athletes who were Pell-eligible. The change takes effect for the 2026-2027 academic year."

NASFAA's "Notable Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Articles included under the notable headlines section are not written by NASFAA, but rather by external sources. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

Publication Date: 1/13/2026