Early last week, Park University Interim President David Fowler sent an email informing Park staff and faculty of voting taking place in Washington D.C., which would affect the Federal Pell Grant program.

According to the email, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate were expected to vote last week on 2016 budget resolutions calling for damaging cuts to the Pell Grant and student loan programs totaling $150 billion over 10 years, according to the email.

Fowler encouraged a phone call or email to senators and representatives urging them to financially support Park students.

Links, which contained Senator and Representative contact information, were provided.

The bill suggested freezing the Pell Grant at a maximum of $5,775 for the next 10 years. This passed last Wednesday with the 2016 fiscal budget plan in a 228-199 vote, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Park students who qualify for the grant will be affected for the 2015-2016 academic year as well as the years following since this maximum number will no longer continue to increase.

Noel Patterson, sophomore public relations major, did not qualify her freshman year, but now she is dependent on the grant.

“I didn’t qualify last year but I got it this last fall and spring,” said Patterson. “It helped me to not be able to take out student loans.”

Students who wish to be considered for federal financial aid must submit a FAFSA before the start of each school year.

Some students will then qualify for the Pell Grant and accept the awarded amount. But now that amount may be lower than what some are used to seeing.

Students who are typically awarded the grant rely on this extra support.

Students just like Leah Thompson, junior interior design major.

“I count on it a pretty great deal,” she said. “I only have one school loan.”