NCAN members, and the students they serve, have experienced and witnessed the powerful impact made possible by the federal Pell Grant program.
From June 21-24, NCAN and the education community are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Pell Grant with an outstanding display of support for the program.
As our members know, Pell is an enormously successful program and the primary engine for access to postsecondary education. Since its creation, Pell Grants have helped more than 80 million students to pursue their educational goals and, annually, provides
nearly 7 million students from low-income backgrounds the opportunity to persist and succeed in college.
But with more robust investment, this need-based financial aid could take students even farther in their postsecondary journey by covering more of the cost of college.
While we celebrate Pell’s incredible successes, we also continue to advocate for its future. Policymakers looking to strengthen the program, and expand its impact, should consider its declining purchasing power. At its peak in the 1970s, the maximum Pell
Grant award could have covered more than 75% of the average cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses at a four-year public university. Today, even after reliable annual increases, a maximum award covers 30%.
Greater investment in Pell is needed to help alleviate the prevalent affordability challenges that today’s students face.
If you want to get involved this week, here are three simple things you can do right now!
Easily send a prewritten message of support for Pell to your federal representatives by visiting NCAN's Action Center! You have the option to personalize your correspondence and it only
takes a minute to complete.
Register to virtually attend a Capitol Hill briefing celebrating the anniversary (on June 22) hosted by TICAS and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Dr. Michelle Asha Cooper (U.S. Dept. of Ed) will give opening remarks and there will be a panel discussion with current Pell recipients, moderated by Olivia Sanchez of The Hechinger Report.
All students – no matter their race, ethnicity, or income – should have access to high-quality, affordable postsecondary opportunities. Pell Grants help make this possible! Thank you for all your efforts to uplift Pell this week.
Pell Grant Policy Update
Back in March, after prolonged congressional negotiations, President Biden signed the fiscal year 2022 federal funding deal into law. The bipartisan agreement
included a $400 increase to the maximum Pell Grant for the 2022-23 award year, bringing it to $6,895. This is the largest single boost to the max award in more than a decade (2009-10 award year).
This victory is due to incredible advocacy efforts such as those led by NCAN members and students who, with an unwavering voice, have
had a notable impact in making the case for Pell investment.
Shortly thereafter, President Biden released his full budget for fiscal year 2023, which outlined the administration’s commitment to double the maximum Pell Grant by 2029. If adopted by Congress, the administration’s budget would significantly increase the maximum Pell award to $8,670 for the 2023-24 award year. The budget also asks Congress to expand federal student aid access – including Pell Grant eligibility
– to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, sometimes referred to as DREAMers.
Congress is currently working on fiscal year 2023 appropriations – with the House committee making progress (though it appears to, currently, be a partisan process). NCAN is hopeful to see another big investment in the maximum Pell Grant award. NCAN will
update members as there are developments.
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