Story perspectives

Decline in Pell Grants Hits Black Student Enrollment Hard

10/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

The University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center reports a decline in federal Pell Grant funding and Black student enrollment from 2011 to 2022, with Black enrollment dropping by nearly 487,000.
Southern institutions were disproportionately affected, with community colleges experiencing a 30% decline in Black student numbers.
The report links these declines to cuts in Pell funding during the period.
It recommends stabilizing Pell funding and expanding state need-based aid.

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Story summary

The University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center reports a decline in federal Pell Grant funding and Black student enrollment from 2011 to 2022, with Black enrollment dropping by nearly 487,000.
Southern institutions were disproportionately affected, with community colleges experiencing a 30% decline in Black student numbers.
The report links these declines to cuts in Pell funding during the period.
It recommends stabilizing Pell funding and expanding state need-based aid.