Rep. Miller:  Pell Grant Increase is Important Step in Expanding College Access and Affordability

For the First Time Since 2003, Pell Grant Scholarship Increase Is Signed Into Law

Friday, February 16, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, issued the following statement today after a budget resolution developed by U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-WI) and Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), which included an increase in the federal Pell Grant scholarship, was signed into law by President George W. Bush. The $260 increase in the maximum Pell Grant scholarship, from $4,050 to $4,310, is the first increase to be signed into law since 2003, when it was raised by $50.

"For the last several years, the value of the Pell Grant scholarship - which helps millions of students most in need of financial assistance to attend college - has eroded, due to rapidly rising college costs and neglect by past Congresses. With the budget resolution now signed into law, students and families will see the first significant increase in the maximum Pell Grant scholarship since 2003. This boost will make a real difference for low-income students and parents who are struggling to meet increasing costs for tuition, textbooks, and basic living expenses. I applaud Chairmen Obey and Byrd for their commitment to including an urgently needed increase in student aid in their budget resolution.

"Democrats promised to make college affordability a top priority in the new Congress, and in just our first month we have kept that promise. The House has voted to cut interest rates in half on federal need-based student loans. We have introduced legislation that would put a stop to unethical college loan lending practices. Just this past week, Democrats and Republicans introduced legislation that would provide an additional increase in student aid by making the federal student loan programs more efficient and effective. While there is still a lot of work ahead to expand college access, this Pell increase is an important step towards our goal of strengthening America's middle class by making a college education affordable and accessible for every qualified student."

Eligible students will benefit from the Pell Grant scholarship increase when they enroll for the 2007-2008 school year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853