Ted Budd, a senator from North Carolina, announced that his PELL Act within the One Big Beautiful Bill expands Pell Grant eligibility to trade schools. The initiative aims to strengthen the workforce and reduce student debt. This statement was made on X.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill includes my PELL Act, which helps individuals gain skills without long-term debt,” said Budd. “This will strengthen America’s workforce to be as dynamic as our economy and help prepare workers for family-sustaining careers.”
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB Act), signed in 2025, included significant education reforms under the PELL Act. According to Inside Higher Ed, the law expanded Pell Grant eligibility to short-term workforce training and trade school programs. It increased the maximum award to $8,250 and sought to align federal student aid with labor market needs. However, critics warned that cutting other higher education supports could disadvantage traditional four-year students.
Pell Grant participation remains high, with about 6.3 million students receiving awards in 2024–25, and total federal spending on the program surpassing $30 billion annually. According to the Congressional Budget Office and the National Center for Education Statistics, Pell Grants continue to serve roughly one-third of all undergraduates, with low-income students comprising the majority of recipients.
Trade school enrollment has risen steadily, with about 3.8 million students enrolled in vocational and technical programs in 2025—a 14% increase from 2019. The National Student Clearinghouse reports that graduates of trade programs in fields such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology show employment rates above 85% within one year. This reflects strong workforce outcomes in sectors facing labor shortages.
Senator Budd has served in the U.S. Senate since 2023 after representing North Carolina’s 13th District in the House from 2017 to 2023. According to his official Senate biography, he sits on several committees including Armed Services; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP); and Commerce Committees. He has prioritized workforce training, veterans’ support, and conservative economic policies, including reforms to federal education funding.
