Each year, the majority of FAMU’s students use Pell Grants to help pay for everything from tuition and textbooks to rent. They can thank former U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell, 90, who died last Thursday after a long bout with Parkinson’s disease.Pell, a World War II veteran who represented Rhode Island as a Democratic U.S. senator from 1961 to 1997, was a tireless fighter for college affordability. The Basic Educational Opportunity Grants, which he guided through Congress in 1972, were renamed in his honor in 1980.
According to the Associated Press, the Pell Grants assisted “more than more than 54 million low- and middle-income Americans,” before he retired.
During his career, Pell also spoke out as a bold voice of opposition against the Vietnam War.
RIP Senator Pell. Thank you for your contribution to this society.
ReplyDeleteThanks, RN, for the OT. Many folks, present company included, are certianly aware of the Pell Grant, but are not, present complany excluded, don't really stop to think that an actual person was behind the name. It has always been, in conversation, just a "Pell Grant, yada yada yada." Thanks for keeping us informed on the minor things as well as the major things.
ReplyDeletecorrection on my ^^ post:
ReplyDelete"... but who, present company excluded, don't really stop to think ..."
(and the other infractions. I see them.)
Sen. Pell had to be a bit of a maverick to come up with such a novel idea to help educate scores of low income Americans.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only around here that remembers when it was a BEOG check?
10:04PM, I remember them. Fortunately, I never had to depend on them.
ReplyDelete