Pell Grant recipients are nearly twice as likely to experience food insecurity as students who do not receive the federal grant, according to a new analysis by the Institute for Higher Education Policy. The analysis found that 42 percent of Pell Grant recipients face food insecurity, compared to 22 percent of non-recipients.

Only 65 percent of Pell Grant recipients persisted in college or earned a credential within three years of enrollment, compared to 76 percent of students without a Pell Grant. Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Pell Grant recipients had the lowest persistence and attainment rates, ranging from 47 percent to 59 percent.

“Students should not have to choose between eating and staying enrolled in college,” said Marián Vargas, assistant director of research at the Institute for Higher Education Policy. “Pell is indispensable. However, we can see from this report that right now it is insufficient.”

She added that supports like Pell and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are essential tools for expanding opportunity and supporting student success, but right now the supports are not keeping pace with students’ financial realities. Many students eligible for SNAP never receive benefits due to eligibility barriers and administrative hurdles, and changes to SNAP under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could deepen food insecurity challenges.

Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students are less likely to receive parental financial support for college and often receive smaller amounts when they do. The Pell Grant program is covering the lowest share of college costs in its history, with a projected $16.9 billion funding shortfall.

“Sustained investment in affordability and basic needs support can help more students persist and complete their degrees, and it’s absolutely essential if we want to create a new socioeconomic reality in this country,” Vargas said.