A Student’s Voice: How New Big Beautiful Bill Will Impact My Journey

“They’re not making college more accessible; they’re making it harder, especially for those of us who are already fighting tooth and nail to be here. I just hope that policymakers truly understand the real-life impact these decisions have on students like me.”

I usually write about higher education from my perspective, highlighting my own insights. But this time, I want to do something a little different. I want us all to step into the shoes of a Pell-eligible student, to truly understand the impact of policy changes not from an academic viewpoint, but from the deeply personal experience of someone living it every day.

To do that, I’m handing the mic over to Sarah – a collective voice of millions Pell eligible students across the country who rely on a Pell Grant to get through college. Her story is a powerful reminder that behind every policy decision are real people and real lives.

“It’s me, Sarah. I’m 28, a single mom to a five-year-old, and I work 30 hours a week at a local diner to pay the bills. College has always been my dream, a way to build a better life for my daughter and me. I’m studying to be a medical assistant at the community college, and honestly, the Pell Grant is the only reason I can even be here. It covers most of my tuition and helps with books, and without it, there’s just no way.

When I heard about this “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” my stomach dropped. They’re changing the Pell Grant rules, and not in a good way. Right now, I get my full Pell Grant by taking 12 credits a semester. That’s four classes, and let me tell you, balancing those classes with my job and picking up my daughter from daycare is already a juggling act. There are days I feel like I’m running on fumes, studying after she’s asleep, sacrificing every bit of free time.

But now? They want me to take 15 credits to get the full Pell Grant. Fifteen! That’s another class, another three hours in a classroom, more assignments, more reading. I don’t know how I’m going to fit it in. My work schedule is already tight, and finding childcare for even more hours is a nightmare, not to mention the cost. My average Pell Grant is about $5,339 a year, and the maximum is $7,395. That already barely covers my tuition and fees, which are over $11,000 for in-state. I have to work to bridge that gap. If my Pell Grant gets cut because I can’t manage 15 credits, I’m looking at a $1,479 reduction. That’s a huge chunk of money for someone like me. That’s a month’s rent, or a few weeks of groceries. It’s enough to make me wonder if this whole college thing is even possible anymore.

I’m not some traditional 18-year-old fresh out of high school, living in a dorm, with parents helping out. I’m an independent student, like nearly half of all Pell recipients. I don’t have that kind of support. My income is modest, around $16,000 a year. Every dollar from my Pell Grant is critical. I work because I have to – to put food on the table, keep a roof over our heads, and pay for daycare. Working less isn’t an option.

And it’s not just me. I see so many students at the community college who are in the same boat. They’re older, they have families, they’re working. We’re all trying to build a better future, not just for ourselves, but for our kids. Community colleges are the gateway for so many of us, and these changes are going to hit us the hardest. It feels like they’re telling us, “You’re not working hard enough,” when we’re already stretched to our breaking points.

Then there’s the talk about graduate school loans. I dream of getting my nursing degree one day, maybe even a master’s to become a nurse practitioner. But this bill also puts a hard cap of $100,000 on federal graduate student borrowing. For a lot of professional degrees, that’s just not enough. I know people who are already struggling with over $100,000 in debt from their graduate studies. This means if I want to go further, I might be forced to take out private loans, which are way riskier and don’t have the same protections as federal loans. It feels like they’re raising the bar for us to even get our foot in the door, then slamming it shut for those of us who want to climb higher.

It’s frustrating because I know that my education isn’t just about me. It’s about providing for my family, contributing to my community, and ultimately, strengthening the workforce. Pell Grants aren’t just handouts; they’re an investment. When students like me get the support we need, we succeed, and that benefits everyone.

But these changes in the “Big Beautiful Bill” feel like they’re putting budget savings ahead of people’s futures. They’re not making college more accessible; they’re making it harder, especially for those of us who are already fighting tooth and nail to be here. I just hope that policymakers truly understand the real-life impact these decisions have on students like me.”