The Congressional Budget Office projects an $11.5 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant program unless Congress adds funds before the fiscal year ends Sept. 30. Federal student‑aid reviewers warn that a funding gap would force steep grant reductions or tighter eligibility rules for low‑income undergraduates. The shortfall follows rising college costs and growing Pell enrollments, and it adds urgency to budget negotiations as lawmakers weigh higher‑education spending amid broader fiscal constraints.