By Representative La Shawn K. Ford
At least 14 Democratic members of the U.S. Congress have sent a letter to U.S. House leadership opposing legislation that will exclude students attending many higher education institutions from accessing a $550 proposed increase in the maximum Pell Grant award. As noted in the letter, “this proposal hurts students, not institutions.”
With the tough economic times that have worsened during COVID, our college students need expanded aid to stay in school. However, the proposed legislation would exclude 3 million students that attend proprietary colleges from getting Pell Grant increases. Roughly 58% of African-American, 47% of Hispanic, and 51% of Native American/Native Alaskan students receive Pell Grants, according to the National Association for Student Aid Administrators (NASAA). NASAA also opposes this proposal and believes it would add an unprecedented and overly complicated administrative burden for schools and students.
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There are several excellent proprietary colleges headquartered in the Chicagoland area that provide traditional degree models along with advanced technical education programs. However, students at these universities will get no additional aid at a time when they need it most.
I am proud to say that as State Representative and chairman of the House Appropriations Higher Education Committee, I have continually supported our own state-run Pell Grant program, called the Monetary Award Program, or MAP. Because of the MAP program, Illinois community college and university students can get an additional $5,500 in yearly support. More information about the MAP grant program is available at isac.org.
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Congress has never passed legislation creating this type of distinction in the Pell Grant program. I strongly encourage Members of Congress to address this Pell Grant issue so our most needy students and families can afford to go to college during these tough times.
La Shawn K. Ford is a Democrat State Representative for Illinois’ 8th District, including LaGrange and LaGrange Park.
