At 海角社区, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. Every day, we see students balancing jobs, families, and responsibilities while pursuing their dreams. Our mission is to provide affordable, accessible, and high-quality education to all who seek it. But today, that mission is at risk.
A new federal proposal, the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan, claims to promote fiscal responsibility and student success. Unfortunately, as written, it would do the opposite. It would make college less affordable and less accessible, especially for the students who need support the most.
One of the most concerning changes is to the Pell Grant program, increasing the definition of a full-time student from 12 to 15 credit hours per semester to be eligible for a full award, and requiring part-time students to be enrolled a minimum of 7 credit hours per semester to qualify for any Pell award.
This change would disproportionally harm our adult learners. For more context, more than 70% of NHCC鈥檚 current full-time students would become part-time students reducing eligibility to receive full Pell Grant funding.
Currently, students like Habeeballah McNeal, who is taking six credits can receive this vital aid. He shared, 鈥淭he Pell Grant affects me positively because I can pay for my college expenses, like classes, books, and school supplies. It also helps me pay for other things like my bills, rent, groceries, and insurance, that I need to support me.鈥 Under the proposed plan, he would need to take significantly more credits to qualify.
This isn鈥檛 just a student issue; it鈥檚 a workforce issue. If students can鈥檛 afford to attend college, our local talent pipeline will shrink. Employers will struggle to find skilled workers, and our community鈥檚 economic vitality will suffer.
Equally troubling are proposed cuts outlined in the FY2026 Discretionary Budget Request to TRIO programs, which provide critical academic and personal support to first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities. TRIO helps students not only get to college, but through it. Eliminating or reducing these programs would be a step backward in our commitment to equity and access.
Nataliya Kia is one of 350 students in NHCC鈥檚 TRIO SSS program. 鈥淭RIO tutors and advisors are the reason I am successful at NHCC,鈥 she said. 鈥淏esides returning to college, joining TRIO was the best educational decision I have ever made. TRIO鈥檚 support and guidance has been immensely helpful. TRIO is my family!鈥
At NHCC, we are proud to be a place where opportunity begins. We offer one of the most affordable paths to a college degree in Minnesota, and we are committed to helping every student succeed. But we cannot do it alone.
I urge our community to stay informed and speak out. Contact your elected officials. Share your story. Let them know that cutting support for students is not the way forward.
Let鈥檚 ensure that North Hennepin remains a place that transforms lives, where dreams begin, and where every student has the chance to rise!