Pell Grant recipients may not receive promised funds
It is unlikely, though, that Congress will reduce the funding for Pell Grants or cut the size and appropriation of the federal grant due to its nationwide popularity.
"Pell Grants open the door to higher education for millions of low-income students. Many of them rely on the grant [to achieve] a higher education and a better standard of living. If Congress threatens to cut funding for Pell Grants, I guarantee that many of my fellow politicians and I won't stay quiet," Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings wrote in an e-mail to the News-Letter.
The office of Maryland House Representative Christopher Van Hollen, a strong supporter of increasing funding for Pell Grants, reiterated that Van Hollen, "is committed to ensuring that Pell Grants and other federal aid programs do not decrease in the future."
Even though Congress has increased the funding for Pell Grants last year, the portion of college costs that it covers has dwindled.
Information from the College Board Web site indicates that in 1987 to 1988, the maximum Pell Grant covered half a year's study at an average public four-year college.
Last year, however, the maximum Pell Grant only covered a third of the cost.
The students most affected by the fate of Pell Grants are those who attend public four-year colleges and universities. Many community colleges are currently experiencing record enrollments due to the stagnant economy.
"It sucks when you're unemployed but, hey, what can you do? I could either find a less-paying full-time job or take a couple of part-time jobs, go to school, and hopefully find a better job with my new degree when the time is right," full-time CCBC student Joey Matteson said.
Following the national trend, enrollments at the Community College of Baltimore County were 20 percent higher than last year, and President Sandra Kurtinitis said she expects a 13 percent increase of full-time students by next semester.
"Pell Grants open the door to higher education for millions of low-income students. Many of them rely on the grant [to achieve] a higher education and a better standard of living. If Congress threatens to cut funding for Pell Grants, I guarantee that many of my fellow politicians and I won't stay quiet," Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings wrote in an e-mail to the News-Letter.
The office of Maryland House Representative Christopher Van Hollen, a strong supporter of increasing funding for Pell Grants, reiterated that Van Hollen, "is committed to ensuring that Pell Grants and other federal aid programs do not decrease in the future."
Even though Congress has increased the funding for Pell Grants last year, the portion of college costs that it covers has dwindled.
Information from the College Board Web site indicates that in 1987 to 1988, the maximum Pell Grant covered half a year's study at an average public four-year college.
Last year, however, the maximum Pell Grant only covered a third of the cost.
The students most affected by the fate of Pell Grants are those who attend public four-year colleges and universities. Many community colleges are currently experiencing record enrollments due to the stagnant economy.
"It sucks when you're unemployed but, hey, what can you do? I could either find a less-paying full-time job or take a couple of part-time jobs, go to school, and hopefully find a better job with my new degree when the time is right," full-time CCBC student Joey Matteson said.
Following the national trend, enrollments at the Community College of Baltimore County were 20 percent higher than last year, and President Sandra Kurtinitis said she expects a 13 percent increase of full-time students by next semester.
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