A new analysis finds Pell Grant recipients are experiencing higher food insecurity and are less likely to persist and complete degrees compared with peers. The reporting frames food insecurity as a continuing barrier inside student success pipelines, affecting enrollment and outcomes after students are admitted. The update underscores that financial aid reach does not automatically translate into stability for students facing day-to-day costs. When basic needs are unmet, colleges often see downstream impacts on course progress, retention, and graduation. For higher education leaders, the findings reinforce the need to connect financial aid strategy with targeted support for food, housing, and other essentials—especially for Pell-eligible populations.