-Congressman Urges Increase of Pell Grant Scholarships-

U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) continued his efforts to protect funding for Pell Grant Scholarships. Stressing the importance of educating our youth, Rahall stated, "These grants help make education accessible to more West Virginians and we need educated leaders to ensure that America's future remains strong. I have said it before and I will say it again, you cannot have a 1st class Nation on a two bit education."

Pell Grants, which provide nearly $13 billion dollars in aid to over five million students per year, have been cut by the Administration by more than $300 million in funding for the 2005-2006 school year. Rahall joined many of his colleagues in urging the House Appropriations Committee to increase the maximum Pell Grant scholarship to at least $4,550 in fiscal year 2006.

"In order to defend America in the future we must give our young people every opportunity to get a good education. The students of today are the next generation of leaders who will be running our country. If they do not get an education now our Nation's future will be in jeopardy," said Rahall. "I am fighting to ensure that America secures its future as a world leader by preparing our future leaders with a strong education."

The letter Rahall and his colleagues wrote stated, "Unfortunately, the maximum Pell Grant scholarship is worth nearly $800 less, after adjusting for inflation, than it was in 1975-76. In fact, today, the maximum Pell Grant covers only 42 percent of the typical costs at a four-year public university, compared to 84 percent two decades ago."

Rahall is also a cosponsor of H.R. 114, which would reverse the $300 million Pell Grant cut. The bill would ensure that no student would have their Pell Grant amount reduced as a result of the cut, including the over 32,000 West Virginians who receive nearly $90 million dollars from the Pell Grant. This reversal would allow the Department of Education to study the program without hurting families who already count on the scholarships to pay for college.

"How can we hope to compete or to secure our Nation in the world without arming our future with the intellectual fire power needed to keep us strong," Rahall said. "As the cost of college continues to rise, these Pell Grants are increasingly important to college students and we must ensure that they help our future leaders as much as possible.

Rahall concluded, "Finding the money to attend college is one of the struggles that more and more families encounter today. I will continue to stand with the families of West Virginia to fight for our family values."