Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL), joined by a coalition of lawmakers, introduced the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024. This legislation proposes significant reforms to the Pell Grant program, which is a cornerstone of federal financial aid for postsecondary education. The bill aims to nearly double the maximum Pell Grant award, which currently assists over 6 million undergraduate students in pursuing higher education.
The proposed changes include indexing the maximum award to inflation to ensure its value keeps pace with the rising costs of college education. The bill also seeks to expand eligibility for Pell Grants to include dreamers, providing crucial financial support to undocumented students pursuing higher education. Additionally, the legislation would make Pell Grant funding fully mandatory, safeguarding it from potential funding shortfalls that could jeopardize its availability to eligible students.
Furthermore, the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act aims to restore lifetime eligibility for the program to 18 semesters, allowing students more flexibility in completing their degrees without the fear of exhausting their grant eligibility prematurely. These reforms are part of a broader effort to make higher education more accessible and affordable, aiming to ensure that every American has the opportunity to achieve a college degree regardless of their financial background.
This initiative has garnered support from a wide range of educational organizations and advocacy groups, highlighting its potential to significantly impact college affordability and educational equity in the United States.
