A Government Accountability Office report found the FAFSA Simplification Act met key goals, increasing Pell-eligible students and the share receiving the maximum award. GAO reported that in 2024–25 nearly 10 million students were Pell eligible, up 6% from the prior year, and almost 8 million were eligible for the maximum award. GAO also found the increases were concentrated among middle-to-upper-middle-income families, including a doubling in the number of students from households earning $40,001 to $80,000 eligible for the maximum Pell. The report comes as policymakers weigh funding gaps for Pell: GAO noted reform expanded eligibility, leaving the program short billions of dollars and raising the likelihood of additional congressional appropriations to prevent cuts.