U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have taken the lead, along with 41 of their colleagues, in advocating for increased investment in the Federal Pell Grant program for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY 2025). The senators have penned a letter to Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS), and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee. The letter calls for a discretionary increase to the Pell Grant award as Congress works towards doubling it.
The senators expressed concern over the declining value of the Pell Grant since its inception, stating that it now covers the lowest share of attendance costs in its 50-year history. They argued that increasing the maximum award would be a significant step towards reversing this decades-long decline.
The letter specifically requests that the discretionary allocation for the Pell Grant meets students' needs, protects all program reserves, and expands eligibility to students who have been historically excluded or previously cut out from being eligible for the grant.
In light of struggles faced by students due to COVID-19 pandemic effects, they emphasized on robust investment in the Pell Grant program. They stressed that it is crucial for the Subcommittee to protect all Pell Grant reserves from any reallocation, raid, or rescission that could accelerate shortfalls in the program.
They highlighted that over 6 million students currently benefit from this cornerstone of federal student aid in pursuing higher education in America. With continued investment in the Pell Grant, they believe more students from low- and moderate-income families can access educational opportunities essential for meeting demand for a highly educated workforce.
The letter was also signed by numerous other senators including Angus King (I-ME), Tom Carper (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and others.
The senators' initiative has received support from various quarters. Mark Becker, President of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, applauded Senators Hirono, Reed, and Whitehouse for their critical leadership in advancing the Pell Grant. Michele Zampini, Senior Director of College Affordability at TICAS, also voiced strong support for efforts to increase the maximum Pell Grant award and ensure dedicated funding protection.