Gwen Graham: “Senator Clinton and I have been concerned about the status of the nontraditional college student, the adult who comes…”

“Senator Clinton and I have been concerned about the status of the nontraditional college student, the adult who comes back to college at 35 or 40 to get some additional skills or, particularly, in these changing economic times, to get a new skill that has economic value. Most of our student financial aid programs are thinking about the 18-year-old student coming directly from high school. As an example, Pell grants do not apply to summer school. Many adults wishing to get through their training as rapidly as possible go year round. There are also some costs that are not recognized in the Pell grant, such as child care. Very few 18-year-olds have a need for child care; lots of 35-year-olds do. One of the key parts of the amendment we were going to offer was to increase the amount of the basic Pell grant to $4,500, which is what Senator Coleman has done with his amendment. So Senator Clinton and I are not going to offer our amendment, since that part has already been accomplished. That represented the overwhelming amount of the cost of this program. Recognize that when we get to the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, or some other appropriate legislation, we will be offering amendments to deal with these aspects of Pell grants that do not respond to the realities of the nontraditional student. We look forward to coming back on this field of battle at the earliest opportunity. We will not offer the amendment.”