The US House of Representatives recently passed a bill that cuts $2.2 billion in vital funds needed to administer federal student loan programs. The bill also outlines several other measures that will impact college students and their families, including caps on Pell Grant awards.

The Pell Grant is the largest grant program which is awarded to undergraduate students and based upon financial need. Many students from a low income background would not be able to attend college without the Pell Grant awards. The grant awards vary in amount from $400 to $4,050 per student.

Currently the maximum Pell Grant a student can receive is $4,050 per year. Despite the usual cost of living and inflation increases congress has decided not to raise this limit for the fourth consecutive year.

Initially the House had promised to increase the maximum Pell Grants for low-income students by $100. Tom Kiley, spokesman for Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) expressed his disappointment with the bill in regard to the Pell Grants for low income students

“Once again, we missed an opportunity to raise the Pell Grant,” Kiley said. “That is a glaring omission.”



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