AASCU Pell Action and Resource Center
The AASCU Pell Action and Resource Center is a new information
resource for those who support the Federal Pell Grant program as a critical
student aid resource enhancing higher education access and affordability.
The Pell Grant Program is the largest federal education program
with an approximate $35 billion ($33.5 billion in AY ’11-’12) annual
cost. More than nine million students receive awards under this program.
Support from AASCU presidents and chancellors will be essential if changes,
cuts, or new Pell eligibility rules are proposed. Debt reduction actions in
2011 have already affected students who benefited from previous year-round Pell
provisions. Some Congressional discussions threaten to make significant changes
to the program.
We believe the message that Pell makes a difference and works
needs to be clearly and continually conveyed. Information that can be retrieved
from this Web page assists in that endeavor. This includes the history,
eligibility requirements, financial structure, and salient public policy issues
related to the Pell Grant program. It will contain links to news, research,
talking points, and a variety of advocacy tools to help our members stay
engaged in debate and work to protect Pell from cuts as calls for reform
continue.
Another AASCU informational effort is available on our Members Only Web
page. It consists of a five-year historical data compilation for each AASCU
member institution/system showing student enrollment and Pell Grant funding for
each institution/system alongside Pell Grant funding comparisons for all public
institutions and all higher education institutions in each state.
Armed with the information from the Pell Action and Resource
Center and specific information directly related to their institutions/system
and state, AASCU members will be able to make informed contacts with their
policymakers to show the impact of potential Pell Program reform.
Latest Pell News:
No Pell Shortfall in 2014 (Read) (Inside Higher Ed,
2/7/2014)
AASCU President Dr. Muriel Howard letter to association membership on the
Pell Grant program (Read) (2/6/2013)
The American Dream 2.0: How Financial Aid Can Help Improve
College Access, Affordability and Completion ( View website)
College Dropout Crisis Revealed in 'American Dream 2.0' Report (Read) (Huffington Post,
1/ 24/2013)
What Student Aid Research Shows (Read) (Inside Higher Ed,
1/22/2013)
Study: Pell Grant Restrictions Hurt Mississippi Students (Read) (Mississippi Public
Broadcasting, 1/08/2013)
A Guaranteed Pell Grant (Read) (Inside Higher Ed,
12/18/2012)
Read more
Pell-related news