Pell grants enable millions of students to enroll in college each year and help them earn college degrees. Congress provided $17 billion for Pell Grants in the debt ceiling legislation, the only program that received additional funds. This will help tremendously to maintain the maximum Pell Grant at $5,550, but the fight is not over. Take action today to protect the Pell Grant.
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Why Pell Matters
Pell Grants are essential to providing access to higher education for low-income students. The program now serves more than 9 million postsecondary students annually, the vast majority of whom come from families with very modest incomes. Community colleges strongly support the Pell Grant program, which each year helps approximately 3 million students pay for tuition, books, transportation, and living expenses. The current maximum annual award for a Pell grant is $5,550.
Pell Facts
The U.S. Department of Education recently released preliminary end-of-the year data about the Pell Grant program for the award year 2010-2011. These data indicate over 3 million students at community colleges received approximately $11 billion to assist in meeting educational expenses.
The U.S. Department of Education recently released end-of-the year data about the Pell Grant program for the award year 2009-2010.