Federal Pell Grant Program
Stored: Federal Pell Grant Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Federal Student Aid |
| Top Organization | Department of Education |
| Creation Legislation | Higher Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-329) |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Federal Pell Grant Program gives need-based aid to low-income students, cutting barriers to higher education and boosting equity with funds for tuition and living costs. |
| Program Start | 1972 |
| Initial Funding | $122 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
The Federal Pell Grant Program, established in 1972 under the Higher Education Act of 1965 and renamed in 1980 to honor Senator Claiborne Pell, is administered by the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) to provide grants to eligible students, allocating over $300 billion since inception to support approximately 6.5 million students annually by 2025. Initially funded with $122 million, it has grown to distribute $24.1 billion in FY 2024 across 6.5 million awards, funding education for low-income students at over 5,400 participating institutions.[1] Despite its impact, challenges like funding caps and eligibility restrictions persist (web ID: 5), but it remains a cornerstone of federal student aid under DOE.
Goals
- Provide need-based financial aid to low-income undergraduate students to access postsecondary education.
- Reduce financial barriers and promote educational equity for underserved populations.
- Support academic success and degree completion through grants that do not require repayment.[2]
Organization
The Federal Pell Grant Program is managed by FSA within the Department of Education, overseen by Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray since 2021, with institutions and students accessing funds through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).[3] It operates via annual appropriations, guided by the Higher Education Act and subsequent reauthorizations like Public Law 116-260 (2020).[4]
Partners
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- College Board
- American Council on Education
- California Student Aid Commission
History
Authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-329) and launched as the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant in 1972 with $122 million, the program was renamed the Federal Pell Grant in 1980 to honor Senator Claiborne Pell.[5] It grew from serving 1 million students annually in 1975 to 6.5 million by 2025, addressing disparities with innovations like the FAFSA Simplification Act (web ID: 5). By 2025, it has awarded over $300 billion, though GAO notes funding cap concerns (web ID: 5).
Funding
Initial funding of $122 million in 1972 supported the program’s launch, with over $300 billion appropriated by 2025 via annual DOE budgets—e.g., $24.1 billion in FY 2024.[6] Ongoing appropriations under the Higher Education Act sustain its operations, with no fixed end as it addresses ongoing educational access needs.
Implementation
The Federal Pell Grant distributes grants annually, requiring students to demonstrate financial need via FAFSA, with funds disbursed to institutions for student use, tracked via DOE’s Central Processing System.[7] It progresses through institutional partnerships—e.g., 6.5 million students yearly—and policy updates, adapting to educational needs with no set end, though funding caps remain a challenge (web ID: 5).
Related
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program
External links
Social media
References
- ↑ "Federal Pell Grants". Office of Federal Student Aid. https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell.
- ↑ "Federal Pell Grant Program". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html.
- ↑ "About DOE Leadership". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/leadership.
- ↑ "FAFSA Simplification Act". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6800.
- ↑ "Pell Grant". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pell_Grant.
- ↑ "Federal Pell Grants". Office of Federal Student Aid. https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell.
- ↑ "How FAFSA Is Processed". Office of Federal Student Aid. https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/how-fafsa-processed.