Last week, during his first State of the Union, President Biden called on Congress to increase the maximum Pell Grant award by more than $2,000, expand institutional aid grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions, and invest in community colleges.
“Let’s increase Pell Grants and increase our historic support of HBCUs, and invest in what Jill — our First Lady who teaches full-time — calls America’s best-kept secret: community colleges,” Biden said during his remarks.
With more than 6 million students relying on the Pell Grant program to finance their higher education, Biden encouraged Congress to better align these funds with the rising costs of college. Currently, the maximum Pell Grant stands at $6,495, though the amount could change for the 2022-23 award year once Congress finalizes the federal budget. A $2,000 boost would bring the maximum award to $8,495.
Secretary Cardona attended the speech as a member of the President’s Cabinet and tweeted comments relating to the address:
“Larger Pell Grants mean expanding college accessibility to more students who otherwise might not be able to afford it. A stronger education for more students leads to better opportunities & a more robust economy for communities across the country. #SOTU”
Biden also used his speech to push for increased funding for HBCUs, tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) by expanding on existing institutional aid grants that can be used to strengthen their academic, administrative, and fiscal capabilities, and allow institutions to expand programs for high-demand fields, such as STEM, computer science, nursing, and health care.
Sources:
ED Review Bulletin 3/4/22
NASFAA: In State of the Union Address, Biden Highlights Pell Grant Increase as Administration Priority