What GAO Found GAO found that about 570,000 more students were eligible for Pell Grants after the Department of Education implemented the simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for school year (SY) 2024–25 compared with SY 2023–24. In addition, about 1.9 million more students were eligible for the maximum Pell Grant award of $7,395 that year. The increases GAO found occurred even though fewer students completed the FAFSA for SY 2024–25. GAO previously reported that delays and barriers associated with the new FAFSA rollout contributed to fewer students submitting a FAFSA for SY 2024–25. FAFSA Applicants and Pell Grant Eligibility in School Year 2024–25 Compared with School Year 2023–24 Much of the overall increase in Pell Grant eligibility from SY 2023–24 to SY 2024–25 occurred for students in the household income ranges between $60,001 and $125,000, according to GAO’s analysis of Education data. Examining eligibility for the maximum Pell Grant award, GAO’s analysis suggests that the most substantial change was the increase in eligible students in the household income ranges between $40,001 and $80,000. This number more than doubled in SY 2024–25 compared with SY 2023–24. Overall, Pell Grant eligibility also increased among students with other family members…
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Pell Grants: Overall Student Eligibility Increased After Free Application for Federal Student Aid Simplification
Source: US GAO Reports — US Government, Public Domain