Doubling Pell Grant would create more opportunity

For close to 50 years, students from low-income and moderate-income families have benefited from receiving Pell Grants.

Depending on their individual circumstances, they received up to $6,495 to be used over 12 semesters.  Pell grants have helped to diversify the student body in every type of higher education institution.

The academic and workplace success made possible by Pell Grants, especially for first-generation students and their families, has been transformative.  

Currently, 32% of all U.S. undergraduates are Pell eligible. Across Florida’s public universities this number increases to 37.1%.  At FAMU more than 62.9% (fall 2019) of students are Pell eligible. 

Doubling the Pell Grant to $13,000 over the next five years encourages more students to consider going to college and allows them to graduate with less debt. Studies have shown that college education increases earning potential over a person’s lifetime and leads to a more healthy and meaningful life.
 
It also contributes to deeper civic engagement. Students are better prepared to participate in the communities they call home. They will be ready to become teachers and welders, web designers and mayors and any other profession they choose. 

An increase in the Pell Grant makes up, in part, for inflation in college costs. The purchasing power of a Pell Grant is not the same as it was decades ago.

Keeping the same grant amount does a disservice to today’s deserving and capable students who aspire for a college education. Increasing the grant makes up for this inflation, and demonstrates our commitment to access for students of every background. 

The 50th anniversary of the creation of the Pell Grant – June 2022 - is less than one year away.  As we approach this anniversary it is essential that we mark the tremendous success of this program by increasing the grant amount to adjust for the times.

Events of the last two years have shown that colleges must do their part to promote inclusivity. As American Council on Education (ACE) President Ted Mitchell notes, "Doubling Pell is the surest and quickest public policy move we can make to bolster opportunity for all students."

Over the last two years, we have learned a great deal about the layers of inequities that prevent students from going to college. Doubling the Pell Grant moves our country one step closer to lowering this barrier for thousands. It is an investment that students and their families will cherish.