Today, President Biden released his budget for the 2023 fiscal year, which included increasing the Pell Grant maximum, along with a commitment to doubling the maximum.  The president’s budget includes a $1,775 increase in the maximum award, which would bring the total from $6,895 to $8,670.
 
The budget also includes significant increases for critically important federal student aid programs, and recognized the importance and contributions of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally-Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).
 
NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick, D.M. issued the following statement:
 
“Doubling the maximum Pell Grant award is a top policy priority for NAICU.  Today, President Biden made yet another commitment to make that priority a reality.  The president’s budget calls for a nearly $2,000 increase in the Pell Grant maximum award and a commitment to double the award by 2029."
 
“This is an important and historic commitment to the Pell Grant and the students and families who rely on these resources to access a higher education. NAICU applauds the Administration for taking this next step and renewing its commitment to doubling the Pell Grant. While we would like to see this happen more quickly, the president’s proposals are steps in the right direction and we hope that Congress will move quickly to consider the budget."
 
"In addition to Pell, NAICU continues to support increased funding for Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Work-Study, which must remain major parts of a low-income student’s aid package to ensure access, choice, and flexibility for the best fit institution."
 
“National polling shows that nearly 90% of Americans support the Pell Grant and 75% support doubling the maximum award. The polling also shows that the Pell Grant, which historically has enjoyed bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, continues to be a program that both Democrats and Republicans back (66% of Republicans and 88% of Democrats support doubling Pell)."
 
“In addition to the Pell Grant increase, the president’s budget also shows the Administration’s support for the federal institutional aid programs, providing significant increases to help more students and families and has rightfully recognized the value of HBCU’s, MSIs, and TCCUs by providing resources to enhance institutional capacity at those colleges and universities."
 
“It is our hope that Congress will take this up soon and ensure these critical resources are allocated to these and other higher education programs.”