Pell Grant Change May Affect Students

[theoceansnerves]

Congress is again adding hundreds of millions of new dollars to the Pell Grant program for low-income college students, but it's also allowing a procedural change that would cut - and in some cases eliminate - grant eligibility for as many as 1 million students.

The spending bill passed by Congress last weekend increases funding for Pell Grants, the main federal form of college aid for poor students, by $458 million to about $12.4 billion, though that figure could be ultimately trimmed back slightly.

Like other boosts to the Pell program in recent years, this one will be devoured entirely by increased demand. And the maximum grant will be frozen at $4,050, despite sharp increases in college costs.

The grant amounts aren't growing because more people are seeking them. The number of students receiving Pell Grants has increased 37 percent in the last decade to more than 5 million, according to the College Board, which owns the SAT exam.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/PELL_GRANTS?SITE=SCCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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well well well, didn't bush say in the debates that he was going to increase pell grants?

[LosinIt]

1. But, but, Georgie DID increase it by $458 million , see he's honest

he does what he says and says what he does.

[roguevalley]

2. nice way to get poor kids into the military.

[lawladyprof]

3. And coincidentally trim those pesky librul colleges & universities--eom

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. Aww. ... no worries...their science depts will get corporate funding for

programs and research corporations agree with ...and religious universities will thrive with faith based funding :D

[LizW]

4. Boy, that's an understated headline, isn't it? n/t