On the recordJune 23, 2022
Today I rise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Federal Pell grant. Created in 1972, the Pell targets students with a demonstrated financial need. It helps cover the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and many, many other expenses. Now, unlike loans which can burden low-income students, Pell grants do not need to be repaid. The Pell actually helps students focus on school rather than have them wondering about how to pay for it. The Pell has benefited more than 80 million students in the past 50 years and is an absolute lifeline for students at colleges in my district on the central coast of California. Currently, there are close to 16,000 students receiving $68 million in Pell grants to pursue their higher education goals at our local colleges and universities. Now, clearly, support for the Pell is widespread and bipartisan. I am proud to say that we here in Congress actually increased the Pell by $400 for 2022. That is the largest increase, Mr. Speaker, to the Pell in 10 years, but I think you would agree with me that this is not enough. As we celebrate this anniversary, Mr. Speaker, the Pell now only covers less than one-third of average attendance costs. So we must do everything we can to strengthen the Pell. I believe we can do that by doubling the Pell. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that that happens and ensure that students, regardless of need, can afford college and attain a brighter future. ____________________
