Earlier this month the U.S. Congress finalized the federal budget for fiscal year 2014 and the result was positive for college students. The House and Senate agreed on a budget that improves federal financial aid programs:
- The Pell Grant maximum award was increased by $85 to $5,730 for the next academic year. In Minnesota more than 150,000 lower-income students receive these awards.
- Funding for federal work study grants was restored to the levels it was at in the previous fiscal year, before sequestration triggered cuts. The same is true for TRiO and GEAR UP, two federal programs that target support for lower-income students, including several here in Minnesota.
Request: If you are in touch with your U.S. representative or senators, consider passing on your appreciation for this recent action. We need strong federal financial aid for college students and Congress’ recent approval of the federal budget further improves that critical support. Look up and contact your senators and representative.
“With this grant, I was able to afford to live on campus, which is huge and has allowed me to experience campus fully and focus on my studies. It also helps relieve the financial burden on my father, who is a single parent.”