The Hill News

Pell Grants are the foundation of our student aid system, which seeks to make sure that students with low and moderate incomes can afford a college education. Right now, Pell Grants are helping more than 9 million people go to college. 

There is no doubt that the cost of the Pell Grant program has been rising rapidly. As I understand it, the single most important factor has been growth in the number of eligible students. Between 2008 and now, the number of students receiving Pell Grants has increased by more than three million. 

The Great Recession that started in 2008 was a major factor contributing to this growth. People who have lost their jobs and incomes are going back to college to acquire new skills for the economy recovery. That’s exactly what we hope people would do â€" take advantage of opportunity to retool their skills for the jobs of the 21st century. 

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