PTK Advocacy Center

You are not alone. And your voice matters.

Right now, Congress is debating the future of federal student aid. The Senate has taken bipartisan action to protect Pell Grants, Work-Study, and other programs that help make college affordable. But the House has proposed eliminating the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), cutting nearly half a billion dollars from Work-Study, and ending support for programs that prepare teachers, expand childcare, and strengthen research.

These decisions will directly impact students like you—those balancing jobs, family responsibilities, and caregiving while striving to complete their education. The Phi Theta Kappa Advocacy Center empowers you to speak directly to your elected officials about how these choices affect your life, your future, and your ability to graduate. PTK’s CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, has spoken out on behalf of our Society—but the voices of students themselves are the most powerful tool we have.

Current Status

Here is a high level executive summary of where we are at right now with the legislation around federal financial aid.

Trump Administration Proposal

• • Cuts Pell Grant maximum from $7,395 to $5,710 (a 23% cut).
  • Eliminates FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant).
  • Eliminates TRIO (programs of Student Support Services, Talent Search, and Upward Bound)

Senate Response

• • Rejected the cuts for Pell, TRIO, and FSEOG.
  • Proposed level-funding (keep the same funding as current year) for Pell, FSEOG, Federal Work-Study, TRIO, GEAR UP, HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and Minority-Serving Institutions.
  • Vote was strongly bipartisan (26–3).
  • Status: awaiting full Senate vote

House Subcommittee Response

• • Pell, TRIO, GEAR UP received level-funded.
  • Eliminated all FSEOG funding.
  • Reduced Federal Work Study by $451 million.
  • Teacher prep, childcare, foreign language programs are eliminated.
  • Status: must still pass full House Appropriations Committee, then the House floor.

Why This Matters

Under the House plan, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) would be eliminated, leaving fewer gap-filling grants for low-income students. The Federal Work-Study program would be cut by nearly half a billion dollars, resulting in fewer campus jobs for students who rely on this income to support their education. In addition, federal support for research, teacher preparation, and childcare assistance would be eliminated, weakening the systems that help students succeed and reducing investment in future educators.

Before any of these changes become final, a lot still has to happen. The Senate has to pass its version of the bill, and the House must do the same. Then, a group of lawmakers from both chambers—called a Conference Committee—will meet to work out the differences. That compromise bill goes back to the House and Senate for another vote, and only after that can it be sent to the President to be signed into law. If Congress can’t finish on time, they may pass a short-term fix called a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government running, but even that can be hard to agree on.

Congress listens to real people. The more personal and specific your story, the more powerful your voice will be.

How to Take Action

There is still time to advocate for the  future of Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, and other programs that make college possible for millions of students. The Senate has voted to protect funding, but the House has proposed deep cuts. Lawmakers need to hear from you—today.

1. Click on the letter that most represents you. Each letter is written from the perspective of a different type of student—choose the one that best reflects your experience, or read them for inspiration.
2. Prepare your letter.  Use the template as a guide, but make it your own. Add personal details about your college journey, your challenges, and why Pell Grant support matters to you or your peers.
3. Submit your letter. When you're ready, click the button below to send your message directly to your two Senators and your Representative.