Pell Grant Eligibility Restored For Former ITT Tech Students

WASHINGTON, D.C -- Former students of ITT Tech catch a break after the school closed last month.

The US Department of Education says it is restoring Pell Grant eligibility to students who were using grants to attend ITT Technical Institute when it abruptly closed last month.

The grants were provided to low-income students pursuing postsecondary education, and lifetime eligibility for the need-based grants is limited. 

"For low-income students, Pell Grants are their best shot to attend college," said 6th District Congressman Luke Messer in a press release. "The Education Department is doing the right thing by these students and ensuring they have a path forward to continue their education"

ITT Tech operated 130 campus nationwide serving about 40,000 students when it it announced it was closing on September 6th. The announcement followed a decision made in August by the Education Department to prohibit the institution from enrolling new students in federal financial aid.

It's estimated that the department's decision to restore Pell Grant eligibility will help nearly 16,000 students.