The Congressional Budget Office warned of an $11.5 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant program if Congress does not replenish the Federal Student Aid account by Sept. 30. The CBO said without new appropriations students could face significant reductions in grant amounts or tightened eligibility. The alert ramps up pressure on lawmakers during budget negotiations and raises the prospect that institutions and low‑income students will confront sudden aid cuts ahead of the next academic year.