Political Quotes

“recently, concern was expressed that the Pell Grant Program may be giving college students a free ride, and that Federal funds might be better spent by transferring funds to the College Work Study Program. Because of this, I thought it might be helpful to take a somewhat closer look at the Pell Grant Program, and place it in a more proper context regarding student aid in general and its relationship to college work study in particular. I thought it might also be good to see just how many students today have to work to help pay for their college education. At the outset, let me make it clear that I support both of these very worthy programs. The Pell Grant Program provides students with need the opportunity to pursue a college education that might be beyond their financial reach. The College Work Study Program often supplements the Pell Grant Program and offers deserving students the chance to help defray their educational expenses by working. Both programs are important, and both programs are essential. I am concerned, however, that with respect to the Pell Grant Program, the impression in the public's mind might be that these students do not have to work and that their college education is being fully financed by their Pell grant. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As my colleagues know, the Pell grant award is need-based, which means it goes only to students who demonstrate financial need.”