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Washington, DC -- The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved legislation that would repeal a rule that unfairly reduces Pell Grant scholarship aid for thousands of low-income college students who attend low-cost colleges and universities. As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, Congressman Sarbanes has been focused on taking advantage of opportunities to lessen the burden of college tuition on Maryland’s working families.
“Our young people should have every opportunity to succeed at the highest level,” said Sarbanes. “This is another way to strengthen our middle class and make higher education more accessible to more people. America’s economic strength lies in the ability of our workforce to compete on the global stage. Prudent investments in education, like Pell Grants, are investments in America’s future.”
Under current law, a provision called “tuition sensitivity” limits the amount of Pell Grant aid eligible students receive annually based on their tuition costs – keeping students who otherwise qualify for a maximum Pell Grant scholarship from receiving the full sum.
While the Pell Grant scholarship can cover a student’s cost of attendance, which is the total sum of tuition and fees as well as books, supplies, transportation, room and board and miscellaneous personal expenses, tuition sensitivity is based on a premise that tuition is the major educational expense facing students, and should therefore determine grant need.
In reality, for most students, these related education and living expenses often present the greatest financial barriers to attending college. The Pell Grant Equity Act would eliminate this provision and restore fairness to the Pell Grant award process – boosting need-based aid for students in the most financial need.
According to the Congressional Research Service, the Pell Grant Equity Act would benefit approximately 96,000 students in the 2007-2008 academic year, and would provide an average Pell Grant scholarship increase of $108 per student. The bill would provide a one-year fix in order to offer affected students immediate relief.
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