EdTrust Supports the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
media@edtrust.org
202-731-9582

Statement from Wil Del Pilar, senior vice president for EdTrust, on the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024

WASHINGTON — “EdTrust is proud to support the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act, a transformative proposal to enhance the accessibility and affordability of higher education for millions of students from low-income backgrounds and students of color across the United States. By increasing the maximum Pell award, ensuring the grants keep pace with inflation, and expanding eligibility to undocumented students, this act addresses the growing financial barriers that impede educational attainment. Supporting this act is essential for fostering education equity and ultimately ensuring that higher education remains a viable pathway to upward mobility for all Americans.

“The Pell Grant remains vital for students of color: 60% of Black students, 50% of Latino students, and 45% percent of Native American students rely on Pell to attend and complete college. These grants are even of higher importance to HBCU students, 75% of whom rely on Pell.

“We salute U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) for their leadership on behalf students from low-income backgrounds and students of color and urge Congress to pass the bicameral Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024.”