A Government Accountability Office report says the FAFSA Simplification Act is meeting its core access goals, including expanding Pell eligibility and the share of students receiving the maximum award. For the 2024–25 academic year, nearly 10 million students were eligible for the Pell Grant—6% more than the prior year—and about 8 million were eligible for the maximum Pell award of $7,395, up 31% year over year. The report also found disproportionate gains among middle-to-upper-middle-income households and expanded eligibility for students with household income between $40,001 and $80,000. GAO’s findings credit the redesign of the federal aid application, following earlier rollout delays and technical issues. However, the report also flags that Pell’s increased participation will require Congress to identify additional funding to prevent eligibility reductions. The result is an immediate confirmation of policy impact on student aid capacity, paired with a looming fiscal constraint for the grant program.