Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., and Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, proposed the Obey-Byrd Resolution on Tuesday to increase the federal Pell Grant scholarship.
The Pell Grant would be raised from $4,050 to $4,310 per individual, a national total increase of approximately six million dollars, according to Byrd's Communication Director, Tom Gavin.
Pell Grants are typically awarded to low-income students, and take into account several factors, including the student's expected family contribution, whether or not the student is enrolled full- or part-time and the cost of tuition for the particular institution, according to the Department of Education's Web site.
Gavin explained that Pell Grant funding has not been increased for four years, despite average tuition increases at higher education institutions.
"The Pell Grants are the foundation of financial aid packages," Gavin said, adding that it is "important to keep up with the pace of increase."
While the sponsors of the resolution are Democrats, Gavin said the bill is a bipartisan initiative.
"It is not a time for finger pointing," he said. "When it was written, Democratic and Republican members were working together."
Del. Steve Landes, R-Augusta County, a member of the House of Delegates' education sub-committee, said he attributes the failure to increase federal Pell Grants over the past four years to Congress' lengthy legislative process.
"It takes two to four sessions in Congress to accomplish what [Virginia's General Assembly] can in one," Landes said.
Landes said such initiatives are important because they help to ensure financial stability for students who otherwise would not be able to afford a college education.
He said he believes the increased government awareness of this issue stems from growing public concern, which is forcing Congress to take action.
"Hopefully they will consider it, and hopefully it won't take two years to get it done," Landes said.
Pending approval by the Senate in two weeks, the Pell Grant increase would go into effect immediately, Gavin said.
He added that students who are awarded the grants will receive the additional funding for the 2007-2008 academic year.
The Obey-Byrd Resolution will not determine which families receive the funding; rather, they will only set the amount to be delegated, Gavin said.
"This [resolution] will help many people afford college," Landes said. "This will help U.Va. and every other university ... The key is access to higher education."
Read More
Four years of construction — how has Grounds changed?
By Grace Little | 6 hours agoArriving on Grounds in 2021, the University’s graduating class of 2025 saw a smaller collection of buildings than the one they are now preparing to leave.
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 3 days agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 5 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
