Higher Ed Groups Urge Biden Administration to Support Federal Student Aid in Upcoming Budget
By Hugh T. Ferguson, NASFAA Senior Staff Reporter
NASFAA joined a group of higher education advocacy groups urging the White House to put forth a “robust” request for federal student aid programs for the upcoming fiscal year 2025 budget.
While Congress is still trying to wrap up spending negotiations over the current budget cycle — which currently faces significant hurdles due to the ongoing House Speaker fight — the budgeting process for fiscal year 2025 is just around the corner, and the coalition, known as the Student Aid Alliance, is seeking to underscore that a strong budget request from the White House will be needed to overcome likely pushback from the House. Throughout the fiscal year 2024 budgeting process, House bills have proposed steep cuts for education-related programs — a trend that could well continue in the upcoming fiscal year.
“Now, more than ever, the programs that help low- and middle-income students access and succeed in postsecondary education need additional funding to ensure that students with disrupted educations during the pandemic can pursue their higher education goals,” the letter reads.
Specifically, the letter calls for the administration to push toward doubling the maximum Pell Grant to at least $13,000 to restore much of the purchasing power of the program and increase college affordability for students.
The letter also calls on the White House to provide significant funding to campus-based aid programs, along with increases for TRIO, GEAR UP, and Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN).
“We appreciate your support for all students, and we call on you to continue this support for all federal student aid programs, which include grants, work-study, loan, and college outreach and completion programs,” the letter reads. “We strongly believe that this support will enable low- and middle-income students to succeed on their postsecondary education journey.”
Publication Date: 10/6/2023
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