Congress Locks In $79 Billion for Education, Shields Pell and TRIO
March 7, 2026 · 2 min read
Arthur Griffin
The Department of Education will operate with $79 billion in discretionary funding for fiscal year 2026 — a $217 million increase over the prior year and roughly $12 billion above what the administration requested. The spending package preserves Pell Grants, TRIO, and minority-serving institution programs that had faced proposed elimination.
Pell Grants Hold at $7,395, Blocking a Proposed Cut
The maximum Pell Grant award holds at $7,395 for the 2026–2027 academic year. The administration had proposed cutting the award by more than $1,000 per student — a reduction that would have affected roughly 6.5 million low-income college students. Congress rejected the cut on a bipartisan basis.
The Institute of Education Sciences received $790 million, more than triple the administration's $261 million request. The Office for Civil Rights was maintained at $140 million, rejecting a proposed $49 million reduction.
TRIO and Minority-Serving Programs Survive
Congress also rejected proposals to eliminate or reduce programs serving underrepresented students. TRIO — which provides academic support, financial literacy, and mentoring to first-generation and low-income students — retained its funding. GEAR UP, which prepares middle and high school students for college, was similarly preserved.
Minority-serving institution programs received funding increases despite recent Justice Department challenges to race-conscious education initiatives. The bill also maintains K-12 STEM education funding through the Student Support and Academic Enrichment grant program.
Senate Passage Faces a Standoff
The House passed the package 397 to 28 — rare bipartisan margins — but Senate consideration faces complications. Senate Democrats have signaled they may block the bill unless Department of Homeland Security funding is separated over concerns about ICE enforcement operations.
For colleges, training providers, and nonprofits that depend on federal education funding, the direction is clear even if the final timeline is not. Organizations should plan around stable funding levels and begin preparing applications as programs confirm their 2026 cycles.
Tools like Granted can help education-focused organizations identify federal funding opportunities as they open.