A sweeping simplification of the federal financial aid application process has resulted in 1.7 million additional students qualifying for maximum Pell Grants in the 2025-26 cycle, representing a 27% increase over pre-simplification levels, according to new data released by the National College Attainment Network.
The dramatic uptick in eligibility stems from changes implemented through the bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law during his first term. The legislation streamlined both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form and the criteria used to determine grant eligibility.
NCAN’s analysis of data provided by the Office of Federal Student Aid reveals consistent positive trends across multiple metrics, including increases in total FAFSA applicants, recent high school graduate numbers, and significant growth in students eligible for both maximum and minimum Pell Grants.
Read more at The EDU Ledger.
