Inside Higher Ed
Jessica Blake
November 6, 2026
Policy experts say it’s not as simple as opposing all things Trump. Delivering on their affordability promises and passing practical bills will be key.
n their campaigns to retake Congress, Democrats repeatedly pledged to lower living costs for Americans.
When it comes to college costs, that affordability agenda must first focus on closing a projected $17 billion shortfall in Pell grant funding before lawmakers tackle more ambitious policy ideas such as doubling the maximum need-based aid to $15,000, higher education experts said this week.
“You want to make sure that students can continue to get Pell before you’re trying to expand it,” said Alex Holt, a moderate right-leaning higher education policy expert.