"Student aid advocates who hoped to see a substantial boost to the Pell Grant will have to settle for a modest increase -- if any -- in a 2019 congressional spending package," Inside Higher Ed reports. "A Senate education funding package that cleared the appropriations committee last month would add $100 to the maximum value of the need-based grant, not enough to even keep pace with inflation. And a spending proposal approved by House appropriators last week would keep the maximum grant flat."

"Lawmakers from both chambers will have to negotiate the final number for the grant in a final education package along with other differences in the bills.

Overall spending on most college access or student aid programs would be roughly in line with numbers from a March omnibus spending bill. A handful of priorities like Pell and career and work-force training would receive more funding in House and Senate proposals for the 2019 fiscal year, if less than advocates hoped.

Some advocates had asked for the value of the Pell Grant to at least keep pace with inflation -- closer to the $175 increase included in the omnibus deal. Others had offered more ambitious proposals to put the grant on course to eventually cover 50 percent of the cost of a four-year public college.

The Senate proposal, though, would raise the maximum Pell Grant by just $100, to $6,195 for the 2019-20 academic year.

'This is sort of what we had expected for this year,' said Megan Coval, vice president for policy and federal relations of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. 'Anytime we see an increase in Pell, we’re always going to be talking positively about that and thankful for that provision.'

Michele Asha Cooper, president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, said the increase would not do nearly enough for low-income students.

'This increase would help to keep at bay further decreases in the grant's purchasing power, but it falls short of making an impactful investment in our nation’s students in need as college costs continue to rise,' she said.

Notably for Pell advocates, the Senate proposal would also take $600 million from the Pell Grant reserve fund, which they say is important to maintain in case of a sudden increase in demand on the program. The House proposal would leave the surplus fund intact."

NASFAA's "Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

Publication Date: 7/18/2018