A coalition of 28 Texas organizations urged Senators Cornyn and Cruz to reject proposed Pell Grant restrictions in the House budget bill, warning they would harm hundreds of thousands of part-time students and jeopardize the state’s workforce and economic future
July 07, 2025 by EdTrust in Texas 
On July 1, 2025, EdTrust and 28 Texas-based organizations sent a letter to Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz urging them to oppose House-proposed restrictions to the Pell Grant program in the upcoming federal budget reconciliation bill. The coalition supports the Senate HELP Committee’s version, which preserves eligibility for part-time and less-than-half-time students. The proposed House changes—which would raise the required credit load and eliminate aid for certain part-time students—could strip financial aid from 360,000 Texans, disproportionately harming working adults, parents, students with disabilities, and incarcerated learners.
These changes would severely impact Texas community colleges, where over 78% of students attend part-time, potentially eliminating aid for up to 80% of Pell recipients. With college costs already the top barrier for students, and state grant funding already insufficient, the loss of Pell aid would hinder workforce development and waste Texas’ K-12 investment. The signers call on the senators to advance the Senate version and protect access to higher education for all Texans.
