Bush will up number of Pell Grants
Maysoon Abdelrasul
Issue date: 2/3/05 Section: pageone
- Page 1 of 1
The Bush Administration is following up on a federal law that might make it easier for college students to receive money from Pell Grants.
On Dec. 8, President Bush signed a bill that will more than likely increase the number of college students receiving the grant. The U.S. Department of Education will follow the law requiring it to use up to date information in determining Pell eligibility.
For the next five years, there will be an increase of $100 each year, changing the maximum grant from $4,050 to $4,550.
A memo from the U.S House Committee on Education and the Workforce states if the current administration updates the tables, more students could receive the grant, and it would greaten prospects for future increase of the award.
The memo also stated that if the tables are not updated, taxpayers will be cheated and the poorest students will not be given a fair chance.
Alexa Marrero, press secretary of the department of education workforce committee, said this is not a new law. The tables are simply being updated to make sure all the information is correct, something Marrero said should be done annually.
"Nothing really happened to trigger this," she said.
She said there are other factors involved in receiving the Pell Grant beside the tax table. The government also looks at factors such as how many people in the household are attending college and the total income of the household.
The funding is increasing to approximately $400 million. Marrero said overall, a larger number of students would be receiving the award.
Some Democrats, however, are not quite confident the Bush Administration will do what it says.
Tom Kiley, press secretary for George Miller, the top Democrat on the education committee, said they have a couple reactions to the situation.
"If it is real then it is a step in the right direction," he said, adding that there is a possibility it is a promise that could be broken.
Another issue the Democrats point out is where the money will come from to increase the amount of Pell Grants distributed. Kiley said Miller would not support the idea if the funding comes from federal student loans.
"Show me the money," he said. "We will believe it when we see it."
Pat Lowry, Congressman Tim Ryan's (D-17) press secretary, said he does not believe increasing the number of Pell Grants will significantly increase enrollment. He said it is a good gesture to increase it, but said it needs to be more.
Elaine Ruse, YSU's director of financial aid and scholarships, said so far the proposal from the Bush administration looks positive.
"By far this is the most favorable proposal," she said.
As it pertains to enrollment, Ruse said she cannot predict what will happen. She said at most she hopes that more students apply and find that they are eligible.
Call Maysoon Abdelrasul at (330) 941-1913
On Dec. 8, President Bush signed a bill that will more than likely increase the number of college students receiving the grant. The U.S. Department of Education will follow the law requiring it to use up to date information in determining Pell eligibility.
For the next five years, there will be an increase of $100 each year, changing the maximum grant from $4,050 to $4,550.
A memo from the U.S House Committee on Education and the Workforce states if the current administration updates the tables, more students could receive the grant, and it would greaten prospects for future increase of the award.
The memo also stated that if the tables are not updated, taxpayers will be cheated and the poorest students will not be given a fair chance.
Alexa Marrero, press secretary of the department of education workforce committee, said this is not a new law. The tables are simply being updated to make sure all the information is correct, something Marrero said should be done annually.
"Nothing really happened to trigger this," she said.
She said there are other factors involved in receiving the Pell Grant beside the tax table. The government also looks at factors such as how many people in the household are attending college and the total income of the household.
The funding is increasing to approximately $400 million. Marrero said overall, a larger number of students would be receiving the award.
Some Democrats, however, are not quite confident the Bush Administration will do what it says.
Tom Kiley, press secretary for George Miller, the top Democrat on the education committee, said they have a couple reactions to the situation.
"If it is real then it is a step in the right direction," he said, adding that there is a possibility it is a promise that could be broken.
Another issue the Democrats point out is where the money will come from to increase the amount of Pell Grants distributed. Kiley said Miller would not support the idea if the funding comes from federal student loans.
"Show me the money," he said. "We will believe it when we see it."
Pat Lowry, Congressman Tim Ryan's (D-17) press secretary, said he does not believe increasing the number of Pell Grants will significantly increase enrollment. He said it is a good gesture to increase it, but said it needs to be more.
Elaine Ruse, YSU's director of financial aid and scholarships, said so far the proposal from the Bush administration looks positive.
"By far this is the most favorable proposal," she said.
As it pertains to enrollment, Ruse said she cannot predict what will happen. She said at most she hopes that more students apply and find that they are eligible.
Call Maysoon Abdelrasul at (330) 941-1913