By Panhaneath Seng, Alumna of Northwestern University and Operation Jump Start, Long Beach, California
I was beyond grateful to receive the POSSE full-tuition scholarship for four years of college and attend a university that was able to offer me scholarships and grants to cover other expenses. As a first-generation, low-income student, I cannot rely on
my family financially, and the amount of aid I received was crucial in determining my ability to continue my education beyond high school.
Even with a significant amount of financial aid from the university, there were various personal expenses, such as airfare, dorm supplies, and other essentials, that I had to cover. Between my savings and outside scholarships, a majority of which came
from the youth mentoring organization Operation Jump Start, I was able to manage without putting my family in financial hardship.
But not all students can access the scholarships and other supports I did. Doubling the maximum Pell Grant – a form of federal financial aid targeted to students with the least financial resources – is one
way for all students with financial needs to receive additional support without having to work so many hours that they sacrifice their academic performance and opportunities to explore their career.
For additional financial support and the ability to occasionally assist my family with expenses, I applied for an on-campus job before I even arrived at school.
My first day of work was during Northwestern University Wildcat Welcome student orientation. I started on the pre-medicine path as a neuroscience major, with multiple science courses already planned for me to be on track. The peer advisers and seminar
professors in my orientation group strongly advised against working during the first quarter or even the first year of college to make sure my peers and I could handle the rigorous academic program. However, not working was not an easy choice for
many first-generation students who were not able to receive financial support from their family.
Having to work while going to school full time was challenging, and I often had to sacrifice sleep and free time. I had two to three part-time jobs at one point, averaging 30 hours per week.
In addition to these jobs, I was able to manage by utilizing available resources on campus. I reached out to the Student Enrichment Services at Northwestern to acquire essential items for my well-being and academics, including winter clothing and a reliable
laptop. Besides resources, I had access to many opportunities and a support system, consisting of a team of advisers who guided me in applying for scholarships to finance my study abroad trips. For two quarters, I was able to participate in a public
health program in Beijing and London, which was invaluable to my growth and career development.
These resources are not available across all colleges and universities, and even at elite institutions, they are not well advertised to students. A stronger Pell Grant would go a long way in meeting the financial needs of students who cannot access supports
like this from their college or university. And now more than ever, doubling the Pell Grant is integral to ensuring that students are able to continue and successfully complete their education.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing barriers to education for many, especially marginalized student groups. When COVID began to spread in the U.S. earlier this year, I could no longer work because my jobs were considered non-essential. So I
had to figure out how to pay rent and bills while finishing my last quarter of college.
Other first-generation students from low-income households are in similar, if not worse, situations. Some are at risk of dropping out to support their family or simply cannot focus on their academics when they are faced with a financial crisis. Increasing
the Pell Grant would offset some of these negative effects.
College was unaffordable for many students from low-income backgrounds before the pandemic hit. As of the 2017-18 academic year, less than 50% of two-year public colleges and only 25% of four-year public universities were affordable for a student receiving
the average-sized Pell Grant, according to research from the National College Attainment Network. And the trend of disparity in access to higher education is only going upward.
I am advocating for doubling the maximum Pell Grant. This would restore the purchasing power of the grant to cover roughly 50% of the cost of attendance for a four-year public university. A stronger Pell Grant would significantly alleviate the financial
burdens that many students are currently facing. It would also promote education and racial equity.
Supporting students now will ensure more diverse representation in many professional fields in the long term, including healthcare and politics. In short, paving the way for students from low-income backgrounds to continue their education during this
crucial time is an investment in our nation’s future workforce and leaders.
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