This summer, the House proposed to eliminate funding for Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) while protecting the Pell Grant maximum and the Senate proposed cutting FWS and SEOG each by $10 million while providing a $250 increase to the Pell Grant maximum.  

With budget decisions front and center in Congress once again, NAICU launched an advertising campaign encouraging Congress to fund the federal student aid programs. The 30-second social media ad calls on Congress to reject the proposed cuts to FWS and SEOG and instead fund critical student aid programs to invest in America’s future. The start of the two-week campaign coincided with a letter NAICU President Barbara Mistick sent to Congressional appropriators on Tuesday reinforcing these points while also highlighting the importance of robust funding for Pell Grants.

“We are very concerned that the FY 2024 appropriations process has led to proposed program eliminations and funding cuts in student aid in both the House and Senate bills,” Mistick wrote in her letter to appropriators.  “The federal investment in campus-based aid in FWS and SEOG are critical to helping students achieve their higher education goals. Without this funding, students will lose jobs and have to borrow more, making college less affordable and accessible.”

The ads are targeted to congressional leadership and funding decision-makers and timed to appear as Congress works to finalize FY 2024 spending levels.  The ads will appear in Politico and on social media. 

The protection of the Pell Grant by both the House and Senate demonstrates the bipartisan support for the program and the understanding that Pell is the foundation for access to a college education. However, the elimination of the campus-based aid programs will only make college more expensive for Pell Grant recipients and moderate-income students and increase student debt. 

It may take the House and Senate months to reconcile their differences, but with school back in session it is the right time to call attention to the funding needs for students paying for college. NAICU’s ad campaign builds on summer advocacy that keeps student aid funding the top priority.