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Forbes
25-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
These Colleges Are Most At Risk From Proposed GOP Cuts To Pell Grants
As part of the huge tax and budget cutting package Republicans are rushing through Congress, they're aiming to reduce Uncle Sam's spending on college aid by more than $300 billion over the next decade, primarily by overhauling student loans, with reduced borrowing limits, stiffer repayment terms and the end of subsidized student loans for lower income undergraduates. But both the House-passed 2025 budget 'reconciliation' bill and the Trump Administration's 2026 budget proposal, would also take a chunk out of Pell Grants for low and moderate income students. These half century old awards, which don't need to be repaid, make a big difference in whether students from families of modest means enroll in and finish college, their supporters say. Under current policy, Pell Grants of up to $7,395 will be awarded to 7.4 million students during the 2025-26 school year, at a cost of $38.1 billion, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects. The Trump Administration, in a fiscal 2026 budget proposal submitted this month, calls for chopping the maximum award for the 2026-2027 school year to just $5,710, arguing that this 23% cut (even bigger if inflation is taken into account) is needed to combat a projected funding shortfall. 'To see a cut that's almost $2,000 in scope could really be very detrimental to these institutions that are a lifeline for access and completion for low-income students,' says Jen Engle, the director of policy and strategy at Georgetown's Center on Education and the Workforce. Although Pell Grants play a big role in the budgets of two-year community colleges, they're also crucial to a surprising collection of small four-year institutions. We identified 36 four-year schools where Pell aid made up at least 25% percent of total revenue in 2022-23, the last year for which federal data is available. This list is dominated by colleges in Puerto Rico and religious-affiliated schools, primarily Orthodox Jewish schools in New York. Surprisingly, none is one of the nation's Historical Black Colleges and Universities, even though more than 70% of HBCU students are eligible for at least some Pell Grant money. The top six on our list–three in Puerto Rico and three in New York–relied on Pell Grants for more than half their revenue, with 75% to 95% of their students receiving the aid. None of the six responded to our requests for comment, but it's no mystery why so many of their students get Pell Grants. The median family income in Puerto Rico in 2023 was just $25,621, compared to a national median of $77,719. The Jewish students qualify because they come from unusually large Ultra-Orthodox families. Currently, children from two-parent families with income of up to 175% of the poverty level can qualify for the maximum Pell Grants, while those from families earning up to 275% of the poverty level can get at least some Pell aid. The poverty level, of course, climbs with family size. So this past school year, a family with four or more dependent children could have income in excess of $100,000 and still qualify for some Pell money. While those small private schools are the most Pell dependent, we crunched the same government data to identify the 40 four-year colleges who received the most Pell dollars—more than $50 million each—in 2022-2023. Thirty-six of them are public colleges, with 14 from California, nine from Texas and four from Florida. The Biggest Pell Recipients These 40 four-year colleges, 36 of them public schools, collected $50 million or more in Pell Grant money in 2022-2023. The top Pell Grant recipient, however, was private Southern New Hampshire University, with $207 million, or 16% of its revenue from Pell Grants. In large part, that's due to the school's extensive online enrollment—nearly 140,000. Just one school is on both our most Pell dependent and most Pell dollars lists; Brigham Young University-Idaho got $77 million, or 30% of its revenue, from Pell Grants in 2022-2023. Among other changes, the House-passed reconciliation bill—now officially dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) to reflect Trump's branding of it—narrows Pell Grant eligibility in ways that would reduce grants for more than half of recipients, while saving about $7.1 billion over the next decade, the CBO figures, (In fact, that's only part of what the changes would ultimately save, because of the complicated way these grants are funded, with both mandatory spending and annual discretionary appropriations. The current maximum award for the discretionary component of the grant is $6,335, with a $1,060 mandatory add-on. The $7.1 billion, the CBO says, includes only savings to the mandatory add-on.) One change would eliminate smaller, pro-rated Pell Grants for students who attend less than half time. They now make up about 10% of all recipients and the CBO estimates only a third would boost their hours enough to stay eligible, while the rest would lose out completely. The new half-time requirement would be particularly hard on adult students who also work full time and attend either community colleges or universities' 'continuing education' schools, which typically offer courses in the evenings, or online. At the College of Continuing Professional Studies at private non-profit Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, 59% of students get Pell money. The school offers both four-year and two-year degrees, including practical associate degrees in business administration and paralegal studies. 'This will have an echo effect, a snowball effect rolling downhill on workforce development, things that we as a country, as a community, the state of Missouri, everybody wants to accomplish,' says Drury University President Jeff Frederick. It's notable that at the same time that the House-passed bill makes it tougher for working adults to pursue a two- or four-year degree or a certificate, it creates a new 'workforce Pell Grant' for eight to 15 week career training programs which wouldn't have to be taken at an accredited institution. That change would be a particular boon to for-profit schools. The House bill also raises the required course load for a student to receive the maximum Pell Grant from a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (typically four courses) to 30 credit hours per year, meaning a five-course load. That change alone would potentially reduce grants to more than half of Pell recipients, the CBO says. Kim Cook, CEO of the National College Attainment Network, says the increased course load requirement could leave both students and administrators to make tough choices. 'Could they carry that (extra class) with their workload, with their family load, with their caregiving responsibilities, and could they do that well and maintain satisfactory academic progress?' Some colleges are considering how to help their students adjust. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona reviewed the 48% of its undergraduates who get Pell Grants and found many take between 12 and 14 credits a semester, says Jessica Wagoner, senior associate vice president for enrollment management and services. The school isn't structured to offer one or two credit classes, but is discussing what it could add as a 'temporary solution,'' she says. But the school isn't rushing to make changes. While the Senate has yet to pass its version of reconciliation, the draft plan released by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee wouldn't raise the course load requirements for maximum Pell Grants, or cut off those going to school less than half time. The Senate would also allocate more money to cover the budget shortfall—the one the Trump Administration has used as its reason to slash grants. It allocates $10.5 billion in additional funding for fiscal year 2026, compared to $10.5 billion in the House passed bill to cover three fiscal years—2026-2028. The Senate would also go easier on the wealthiest schools, raising the tax on their endowments by less than the House passed bill would. Ultimately, the thin Republican majorities in the House and Senate need to pass identical reconciliation bills—all without any Democratic votes. More from Forbes Forbes Trump's Foreign Student Crackdown Puts These 16 Struggling Colleges At Risk By Emma Whitford Forbes As Harvard Struggles, For-Profit Colleges Are Poised To Flourish Under Trump By Emma Whitford Forbes These Colleges Are At Risk As Congress Takes Aim At Endowments By Emma Whitford Forbes Forbes College Financial Grades 2025: America's Strongest And Weakest Schools By Emma Whitford
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Adopt ILO budget at 113 ILC, BAEC, ITUC-Africa urge African governments
AS the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) opens in Geneva, the continent's leading employers and workers' organizations; Business Africa Employers Confederation (BAEC) and the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), have urged African governments to unite in support of the proposed 2026–2027 Programme and Budget of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). In a letter addressed to African heads of government, the two continental bodies called for a decisive vote in favour of the ILO budget proposal adopted at the March 2025 Session of the ILO Governing Body, warning that failure to do so could have 'significant and far-reaching negative impact on workers and employers worldwide, particularly in Africa.' The joint statement, signed by Jacqueline Mugo, Secretary General of BAEC, and Joel Akhator Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, lauded the collective efforts of African governments in shaping the ILO's agenda. 'We sincerely commend your efforts, working together as African governments, to represent the interests of Africa in the ILO, to ensure that African governments can secure the needed support and technical assistance to address the challenges facing the continent,' the statement read. However, the two leaders expressed concern over the division triggered by references to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in the programme, a point of contention that led to a rare vote in the March Governing Body meeting instead of consensus. 'While we fully appreciate the debate and the divergence of views on this matter,' the statement noted, 'we are of the view that the joint proposals of the social partners, which garnered the majority of votes in the Governing Body, is the most feasible way forward to avert the high risk of not adopting an ILO 2026-2027 Program and Budget at this year's international labour conference.' They emphasised that while policy differences on SOGI exist among governments, the Employers and Workers Groups have already agreed that the subject be taken up under a separate agenda item in the upcoming November Governing Body session. This compromise, they argue, should allow the current programme and budget to move forward. 'We therefore urge you, Your Excellencies, to vote for the 2026-2027 ILO Program and Budget based on the March GB decision and to continue your reasonable efforts to ensure that Africa… benefits together from the financial and other resources of the ILO,' the letter concluded. The plea comes at a crucial time when global labour challenges, economic uncertainties, and the growing need for international cooperation have heightened expectations on the ILO's role, particularly in Africa. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Trump Budget Drops Protections For State Medical Cannabis Programs
The White House budget request for 2026 omits language that has protected state-regulated medical ... More cannabis operators from federal prosecution for more than decade. The Trump administration's budget request for the 2026 fiscal year drops provisions that have protected state medical cannabis programs for more than a decade, online cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment reported on Monday. The budget provision has blocked federal law enforcement agencies from spending resources to investigate or prosecute businesses operating in compliance with state-authorized medical cannabis programs, despite the continued prohibition of marijuana under federal law. 'This provision, which has been in place since 2014, protects patients, caregivers, and medical cannabis providers in the 39 states that have legalized medical access from federal interference or criminal prosecution,' the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) wrote in a statement. 'Prior to the passage of this protection, federal prosecutors routinely took actions against patients and dispensaries in legal states.' The budget restriction was first adopted by Congress in 2014 and has been included in the federal budget every year since. But the Trump administration's budget request for the 2026 fiscal year released last week does not include the language. Similarly, the budget requests for each of the four years of President Donald Trump's first term omitted the protections for state-regulated medical cannabis operators. The administration of President Barack Obama also left the language prohibiting federal interference with regulated medical marijuana businesses out its budget requests following the initial adoption of the provisions. By contrast, the administration budget requests for all fours years of Joseph Biden's presidency included the protections for state-legal medical marijuana businesses. While the budget request illustrates the Trump administration's spending policies and priorities, Congress has the constitutional responsibility and authority for appropriations legislation. The congressional budget has included the language every year since 2014, despite attempts by both Democratic and Republican administrations to drop the provision. 'Today, more than half the country, including 36 states and Washington, D.C., have embraced medical marijuana, and for the past 10 years, the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment has prevented the Department of Justice from using federal funds to stop states from implementing their medical marijuana programs,' Laura A. Bianchi, co-founding partner of the cannabis and psychedelics law firm Bianchi and Brandt, writes in an email. 'Rolling back these protections would mark a significant setback for marijuana reform. Ultimately, Congress will have the final say, and the industry remains hopeful that they will uphold these vital safeguards.' When Trump signed previous appropriations bill including the protections for medical cannabis operators after requesting they be removed, his administration issued a statement that it 'will treat this provision consistent with the President's constitutional responsibility to faithfully execute the laws of the United States.' The statement, which was issued on three separate occasions, was widely interpreted to suggest that the Trump administration might ignore the budget restriction. The omission of the protections for state-legal medical cannabis programs in the Trump administration's 2026 budget request is likely to disappoint supporters of cannabis policy reform who were encouraged by the president's apparent support for decriminalizing marijuana during the 2024 election campaign. In September, Trump suggested he supported reclassifying marijuana under federal drug laws and that he would back state efforts to legalize recreational cannabis. 'As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens,' Trump wrote on Truth Social, according to a report from Marijuana Moment.
Al Etihad
02-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi launches 2026 Budget Cycle to enhance financial sustainability
2 June 2025 15:02 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi (DoF) has organised the 2026 Budget Cycle through a high-level event that brought together more than 450 senior officials representing 65 government entities across the year's cycle marks Abu Dhabi's full transition to the Performance-Based Budgeting (PBB) Model, a pioneering initiative that links government spending directly to entity-level goals, ensuring tangible improvements in service quality and societal well-being. The model also reinforces transparency, data-driven decision-making, and aligns with global best practices as endorsed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).The event featured comprehensive discussions around the key pillars of the 2026 budget, covering plans and strategies to promote financial sector growth in alignment with government priorities. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and transparency, DoF seeks to unify efforts across entities to direct resources toward measurable outcomes that reflect the emirate's strategic annual gathering, which drew notable attendance, included a series of interactive and thematic sessions addressing the latest trends in public finance and global budgeting practices. These insights aim to enhance Abu Dhabi's competitiveness and support its forward-looking transformation toward a more agile and innovative Excellency Buthaina Al Mazrouei, Director General of Government Financial Affairs at DoF, said: 'The 2026 Budget Cycle is a defining moment in our journey to reinforce an integrated financial system that places human well-being at the heart of fiscal policies. This exceptional event builds on the success of the 2025 cycle and reflects the department's critical role in institutionalising financial sustainability.'Guided by the vision of our wise leadership, we continue to shape a financial ecosystem that aligns with Abu Dhabi's development aspirations. By equipping government entities with the tools for smart, data-led, and priority-based planning, we are committed to delivering real, measurable results. Our ambitious vision, strong collaboration, and unwavering commitment to excellence will further position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for fiscal innovation and sustainability.'Participants also showcased a range of innovative initiatives and practices aimed at driving efficient resource allocation, seen as vital to achieving sustainable economic growth and improved quality of life. The event, as a prominent annual milestone, serves as the formal starting point for government entities to begin preparing their budgets for the year ahead, within a cohesive framework aligned with national priorities and sectoral part of this year's Budget Cycle, the Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi also announced the launch of the Budget Excellence Award, an initiative designed to recognise outstanding institutional performance among government partners. The award highlights six core values: collaboration, transparency, innovation, efficiency, impact, and excellence. It celebrates entities that demonstrate best-in-class practices in budget planning and public financial management. This new initiative underscores DoF's commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and strategic alignment in pursuit of sustainable fiscal outcomes. The department has developed an integrated communications plan to accompany the full budget cycle, covering all phases from early planning to implementation follow-up, ensuring message consistency in line with world-class financial governance standards.
Fast Company
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Fast Company
Trump wants to defund national parks—but they have overwhelming bipartisan support
Early this month, the Trump administration proposed cutting more than $1.2 billion dollars of funding for the National Park Service. Meanwhile, new polling found that public parks are beloved by almost all Americans—making them among the least polarized third spaces remaining in the U.S. According to a national study conducted by YouGov and published this week by the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, 89% of adults in a major U.S. city visited a public park in the last year, including 92% of 2024 Trump voters and 90% of Harris voters. The study results come at the same time that the president and congressional Republicans are trying to pass a budget that would severely restrict national park staffing and maintenance. That means local parks might play an even greater role in shaping and strengthening communities in the years to come. National Parks face potential devastating budget cuts On May 2, the Trump administration released its 2026 budget plan. The document includes a proposal to cut millions of dollars of funding to national park sites, especially targeting smaller sites like national monuments and shorelines. 'The National Park Service (NPS) responsibilities include a large number of sites that are not 'National Parks,' in the traditionally understood sense, many of which receive small numbers of mostly local visitors, and are better categorized and managed as State-level parks,' the budget reads. It adds that there's 'an urgent need' to transfer certain properties to state-level management and 'streamline staffing,' though the budget doesn't allocate any additional funding to states for this purpose. Specifically, the budget recommends eliminating $900 million dedicated to the operation of national parks, $73 million to park construction funding, $77 million to recreation and preservation funding, and $197 million to the Historic Preservation Fund. Theresa Pierno, the National Parks Conservation Association president and CEO, called this 'the most extreme, unrealistic and destructive NPS budget a president has ever proposed in the agency's 109-year history' in a press release at the time. Congress still needs to approve a version of the budget, which is currently stalled amid Republican infighting over its contents. In the meantime, the NPS has already taken several recent blows: In February, the Department of the Interior, in conjunction with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, laid off 1,000 probationary employees, including park rangers. Another 700 workers took buyouts at the time. Early this month, the department announced plans to cut another 1,500 NPS staff members. As a result of understaffing, multiple parks, like the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado, have been forced to cut hours and close visitors centers, which is especially problematic given that visitors to national parks hit an all-time high last year. All the while, the Trump administration has put public lands themselves at risk by fast-tracking drilling, mining, and logging initiatives in just the first few months of his presidency. Why public parks matter across party lines Trust for Public Land's new report finds that the majority of Americans have positive associations with their public parks, regardless of political affiliation. The study shows that 79% of U.S. adults report having a park where they feel comfortable and want to visit regularly. In addition, 65% of adults report having a positive conversation in a park with a stranger over the last year, and 70% support keeping schoolyards open for the community after-hours. For those looking to live somewhere with better access to public outdoor space, the report also includes rankings of the nation's best big-city park systems. This year, Washington, D.C., came in first, followed by Irvine, California; Minneapolis; and Cincinnati. Perhaps most notably among the results, both Trump 2024 and Harris 2024 voters agree that they would pay more in taxes to improve the quality of local conservation lands, natural areas, and neighborhood parks—including 58% of Trump voters and 85% of Harris voters. 'Access to the outdoors is one of the things that we all resonate around,' says Trust for Public Land president and CEO Carrie Besnette Hauser. 'It doesn't matter whether a community leans red or blue.' In last year's election cycle, Hauser notes, TPL supported 23 ballot measures around parks, public lands, and access to nature—all of which were passed. That included several measures in ultraconservative counties in Florida and Georgia, where constituents approved projects to protect wildlife, improve water quality, and reduce damage from floods. Given the broader trends uncovered both by voting results and by polling, Hauser says the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts to the NPS and nationally managed public lands run 'completely counter to what people want,' adding, 'Any proposal to continue to undercut [public lands] will actually be a disservice to the American people, because they just don't support that notion. It would be counter to any polling, any expression of interest around people's interest in protecting these places, conserving these places, and having access to these places.'
