Statement on Senate’s Proposed $1.3B Cut to Pell Grant Reserve

“Today, the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee released its FY20 spending bill. While the bill includes a critical increase in the maximum Pell Grant to ensure the grant at least keeps pace with inflation, it also slashes $1.3 billion from the Pell Grant reserve fund to pay for non-education related programs. It is shortsighted and imprudent for Congress to pit key national investment priorities in health and education against one another.

“Congress already rescinded $600 million in Pell funding in FY19. Cutting an additional $1.3 billion in FY20 would put much-needed investments to strengthen the Pell Grant further out of reach. This cut could also place the program at risk for future reductions in grant amounts or eligibility that would exacerbate student debt and limit access to higher education.

“We urge Congress to reject the proposed $1.3 billion rescission and keep all Pell Grant funds where they belong – in the Pell Grant program.”

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