A new analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects the Pell Grant program could face a structural annual shortfall of $6 billion to $11 billion over the next decade. CRFB said a recent one‑time infusion of $10.5 billion in legislation delays insolvency but does not close the underlying funding gap, particularly after Congress expanded eligibility to short‑term workforce programs. The report warns that Workforce Pell and other recent changes could drive higher participation than initial estimates and that the administration’s accounting may understate long‑term costs. Policy experts point to historical precedents where program expansions outpaced projections. Higher education finance officers and state budget directors have signaled alarm: a sustained shortfall in Pell funding would force institutions and states to weigh tuition, institutional aid, and program offerings. Advocates for low‑income students urged lawmakers to craft a durable funding fix rather than temporary infusions.