By Elizabeth Morgan, Chief External Relations Officer
Reading time: Two minutes
National College Attainment Network (NCAN) members, students, and friends can make a difference right now by speaking up about the transformational importance of the Pell Grant program. Below we’ve gathered some talking points for you to use with the
media, K-12 and higher education partners, influential community members, and policymakers. The highlighted text below also shows where to add your own customized message. Please share widely!
Congress is working quickly to pass a budget reconciliation bill, and Pell cuts may be on the table. At this point, the House and Senate must conference their proposals to agree on a final version of the reconciliation bill, which they are hoping to pass by July 4th.
The House proposal would slash the Pell Grant to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans—a move that would devastate the ability for millions of students to afford and complete education after high school. We strongly encourage Congress to pass the provisions as written in the Senate bill, which prevent massive cuts to Pell, and provide a $10.5 billion infusion to put the Pell Grant program on a fiscally sustainable path.
If Congresses passes the Pell provisions as written in the House bill, an estimated 20% of current recipients would lose access to the Pell Grant entirely.
In total, more than 50% of Pell recipients would see their award reduced or eliminated.
Our message to Congress: Don’t cut Pell Grant award amounts or student eligibility.
If enacted, this House provisions would be the biggest cut to Pell Grant eligibility in its 50+ year history.
Each year, the Pell Grant helps nearly seven million students achieve their education and career goals. Most Pell Grant recipients come from families with annual incomes of $40,000 or less.
In STATE/DISTRICT, XX,XXX students depend on Pell each year, to fund their choice of education after high school—whether that is an associate’s degree, a high-value credential, or a bachelor’s degree.
[Find your number of Pell Grant recipients at this link.]
Share an anecdote about how Pell cuts might impact a student working to pay for college, or one with other responsibilities at home, or who wouldn’t be able to borrow more to make up the difference.
You can stop here or find additional key facts below.
This dangerously shortsighted bill will cause long-term harm to the education and competitiveness of the US workforce. These drastic cuts to Pell Grants could lead to double-digit declines in postsecondary enrollment, result in lower rates of US postsecondary
credential and degree completion, thwart the economic mobility of millions of low-income Americans, and increase the shortage of educated workers the US economy is already experiencing.
In fact, we need exactly the opposite federal policy: Increase Pell Grant award amounts and approve budgets with enough funding for all students who qualify under current eligibility rules.
By 2031, 66% of good jobs will require a bachelor’s degree, 19% will require some postsecondary education, and only 15% will be available to workers with just a high school
diploma.
Pell Grants pay for themselves in just 10 years through the higher income taxes paid by more educated workers. By reducing Pell Grants, we are sacrificing future economic growth, a strong tax base,
and the opportunity for more Americans to earn a family-sustaining income.
This legislation will further erode the purchasing power of the Pell Grant, which currently covers less than one-third of the average cost of attending a public four-year college. The bill would
more than double a low-income student’s unmet need at these institutions.
The Pell Grant is the foundation of federal student aid and has garnered bipartisan support for over 50 years. It leverages billions of additional dollars in need-based aid and scholarships from states, higher education institutions, and private philanthropy.
These sources will not be able to make up the dollars lost from Pell Grants under this legislation.
Questions? Please contact Catherine Brown, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy, at brownc@ncan.org, or Louisa Woodhouse, Senior Associate, Policy and Advocacy, at woodhouse@ncan.org.
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