The U.S. Senate narrowly approved legislation Friday that would increase the amount of Pell Grant financial aid available to eligible college students.
Pell Grants, money given by the federal government to college students who demonstrate financial need, will now be available in sums up to $3,700 - a $400 increase from the current $3,300 maximum amount. Pell Grants are also available in sums as small as $400.
The legislation now will be considered by the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee to be included in the formal budget.
The increase in the maximum sum would be the largest since 1980. Funding for the project would come from a reduction in a proposed $150 billion in tax cuts.
Pell Grants go to the neediest undergraduates, Financial Aid Director Yvonne Hubbard said. "To be eligible for a Pell Grant, the family contribution has to be less than $3,200," she said.
Since the current in-state University tuition rate is $4,130, a student receiving the total amount of available Pell Grant aid would almost be able to cover the entire cost of tuition.
"You can see how close a full Pell Grant is coming to full tuition," Hubbard said.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Sen. Russell D. Feingold (D-Wisc.) co-sponsored the legislation. It passed by only one vote.
Six Republican senators, including former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) crossed party lines to support the bill.
In February, President Clinton called for Congress to increase the maximum amount available by $200, to $3,500.
Kennedy spokesman Jim Manley said higher education funding is an issue that Kennedy always has supported and he has worked to increase both funding and awareness of the issue.
"Senator Kennedy's been working on education issues for the entire 38 years of his career," Manley said.
He praised the Pell Grant program, calling it "one of the best federal programs there are in making college more affordable for students everywhere."
Hubbard agreed, saying the grants are a good attempt to level the playing field and ensure that all students will be able to afford a college education.
She said that the program helps lessen debt, since students that receive grants are not obligated to pay them back.
"What [Congress] has been raising is the amount of loans you can take out" rather than grants, she added.
Manley said some Senate Republicans appear to be more concerned with giving tax breaks to the wealthy than financing higher education for those who otherwise would not be able to afford it.
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