The Pell Grant is 50. It’s the perfect time to double down on our investment in students
We may be generations apart but a singular investment from the federal government ties us together. The Pell Grant program, which turns 50 this week, is the cornerstone of federal student aid and works with other aid programs to help students get into, stay in and complete college.
Since 1972, the Pell Grant program has provided assistance grants based on need directly to students living on low incomes to help pay for college at the school of their choice. Pell Grants have helped some 80 million Americans pay for college. Bipartisan support for significantly increasing the maximum grant is growing in Congress, as the pandemic made clear the serious need for additional grant aid to enable low-income students to stay in school and complete their college degrees.
The pandemic pulled the rug out from under low-income students. Since the pandemic began, college enrollment dropped 13% across all of higher education. Most impacted were students staying home to care for family members and those who faced extra financial hardship because of lost hours or jobs. These are the students who can most benefit from education beyond a high school diploma. Boosting the Pell Grant program as part of the post-pandemic recovery will ensure this generation of Americans gets the education and training they need to both move up the economic ladder and get the economy working again, while helping America compete in a global economy that demands high skills.
Last year, over 87,000 Washington students received more than $357 million in Pell Grants. That made their dream of going to college possible. Because of Pell, more people in Washington, many of whom are the first in their families to pursue higher education, can lead more prosperous lives, benefiting not only themselves, but their families, and, ultimately, the entire state of Washington.
Washingtonians want jobs that provide for themselves and their families. No one wants to live with the day-to-day stress of wondering how they’re going to put food on their table. People, many of whom served as essential workers throughout the pandemic’s shutdowns, see the strong job market and want to go back to school to learn the skills they need for those in-demand jobs. Doubling the Pell Grant program would be a big step toward closing the wage gap and leveling the playing field.
Today, Pell Grants help students in all states and territories, in all corners of the country, whether rural, urban or in between. Students of all backgrounds receive Pell Grants, with nearly 60% of Black students; half of American Indian or American Native students; nearly half of Latino students; and 30% of White students using Pell Grants to help pay for college.
This investment in the future of our nation and our citizens is an effective and proven way to break the cycle of generational poverty and keep the American dream alive.
Pamela Transue, Ph.D. is President Emeritus of Tacoma Community College. She also serves on The News Tribune’s Editorial Board during election season.
Emily N. Stech will graduate spring 2023 with a degree in Administrative Medical Assisting from Bates Technical College.
