Remembering "The Father of Pell Grants"

On January 1, 2009, former Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI) died at the age of 90. Known as the “father of Pell Grants,” [1] Senator Pell was instrumental in helping low and moderate income students attend college, with the creation of Basic Educational Opportunity Grants in 1972, which were renamed “Pell Grants” in 1980.

The Federal Pell Grant Program [2] provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to post-secondary education. In 2006-07, the Pell Grant was provided to over 5.1 million needy students [3] and is estimated to increase to 5.4 million needy students [4] in 2007-08. Since its creation, the Pell Grant Program is credited with helping over 54 million students [1] attend college.

But Pell's legacy is endangered by today's economic realities. The creation of the Pell Grant was key to college affordability. During its early years, the Pell Grant covered 72% [5] of the total cost of a public year-year institution. Today it only covers about 34%. Strides are being made, though. In 2007, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act [6] passed, mandating Pell Grant Increases through 2017. President-Elect Barack Obama has vowed expand Pell Grants for low-income students [7] and ensure that Pell Grants keep pace with the rising cost of college.

As we remember Senator Pell, and the strides he made to make college more affordable and accessible to low and moderate income students and families, let us also honor him by making sure that the Pell Grant will continue to make higher education accessible to all.

Senator Pell's legacy was and is a great investment in America’s future, and one that shouldn't be forgotten as we work towards economic recovery.