Cuts to Pell Grant will hurt Missouri's economic growth
(Getty Images).
Missouri leaders take pride in our reputation as a business-friendly state where cutting edge industries like biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, agtech and geospatial intelligence continue to grow.
A new report puts us among the top 10 states for tech manufacturing growth. But proposed federal budget changes could undercut our economic competitiveness by weakening one of our most important tools for ensuring we have the talent to remain competitive: the federal Pell Grant.
More than 92,000 Missourians used the Pell Grant last year to pursue a postsecondary degree or credential, from recent high school graduates to working adults seeking new skills or career changes. The Pell Grant, the foundation of need-based federal student aid, helps cover tuition at public and private institutions for low- and moderate-income students. Most recipients come from families earning less than $40,000 a year, and many juggle jobs, caregiving responsibilities and coursework to pursue their education.
Congress is currently negotiating the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' a budget package that includes income tax cut extensions and significant reductions in federal education funding. The U.S. House's proposal, which advanced in May, includes Pell Grant eligibility restrictions that could cut access to this critical source of aid for 66,960 Missouri students. An estimated 21,050 Missouri students would lose their Pell Grant entirely, threatening their ability to pursue and complete their education and training.
The U.S. Senate is actively working to finalize these cuts. If the changes proposed in the House bill are enacted, students would be required to take 30 credit hours per semester to receive a full Pell award, up from the current 24.
While that may seem like a relatively small change, it's a huge deal for students working while in school, those with family responsibilities, and those who can't afford to take a fifth class. For them, this is a $1,500 annual cut.
If Missouri is committed to business growth, we must also invest in the talent pipeline to drive that growth. Each additional postsecondary graduate generates 5.6 additional support jobs and contributes roughly $111,832 to Missouri's GDP. We all benefit when everyone has access to training and education to pursue their choice of a rewarding career. For many students, the Pell Grant is what makes these pathways possible.
Missouri's students shouldn't have to take on a mountain of debt to build skills for in-demand, high-wage jobs. The Pell Grant puts education within reach. Cutting it now would slow our progress and threaten our economic success. Congress should protect and strengthen the Pell Grant, not cut it.
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