ANNAPOLIS, Md., June 18, 2025 — More than 70,000 Marylanders balance raising children while pursuing college degrees, but proposed cuts in a congressional budget bill could jeopardize their ability to graduate. The House Republicans’ version of the bill raises the Pell Grant full-time credit requirement from 12 to 15 credit-hours, reducing aid by nearly $1,500 for students unable to meet the new threshold. This change, alongside cuts to other support programs, threatens the financial stability of student parents.
Ewaoluwa Obatuase, a policy analyst at New America, highlighted the unique challenges student parents face. “They have to juggle work. They have to juggle school and parenting,” Obatuase pointed out. “This reconciliation bill will strip the critical support they need to succeed in college. It reduces funding for SNAP. It reduces funding for Medicaid, and it complicates the financial aid system.”
The Pell Grant program, a cornerstone of federal financial aid, faces a $2.7 billion shortfall, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Republican lawmakers argue that increasing eligibility requirements is necessary to sustain the program. However, the proposed changes would also limit financial aid for approximately 1 million graduate student parents by reducing affordable repayment options for Grad and Parent Plus loans.
Obatuase emphasized the broader implications of the House bill. “It makes it harder to afford college. It makes it harder to repay loans, and it makes it harder to build a better life in this country, all while giving tax cuts to the wealthy millionaires and billionaires of this country,” she stressed. “This bill literally does not do anything to help our student parents. It harms them.”
The Senate is developing its own version of the budget bill, and it remains unclear whether the House’s proposed cuts will be included in the final legislation. If enacted, the changes could disproportionately affect Maryland’s student parents, many of whom rely on Pell Grants and other aid to cover tuition and living expenses.
Research underscores the long-term benefits of higher education. The Association of Public-Land Grant Universities reports that individuals with a bachelor’s degree earn over $1.2 million more in lifetime income compared to those without a degree. For student parents, a college degree is a critical pathway to economic mobility, enabling them to provide better opportunities for their families.
Maryland’s student parents often juggle multiple responsibilities, including part-time or full-time work, childcare, and academics. Federal programs like SNAP and Medicaid provide essential support, allowing them to focus on their studies. Reducing funding for these programs, as proposed in the House bill, could force some students to choose between basic needs and continuing their education.
The potential reduction in Pell Grant funding comes at a time when college costs continue to rise. The average Pell Grant currently falls short of covering full tuition, leaving many students to rely on loans or personal savings. For student parents, who often have limited time and resources, the loss of nearly $1,500 in aid could be a significant barrier to completing their degrees.
As Congress debates the budget bill, advocates for student parents are urging lawmakers to consider the long-term consequences of the proposed cuts. Maintaining accessible financial aid and support programs is critical to ensuring that Maryland’s student parents can achieve their educational and economic goals.
