“We commend President Biden for his FY 2023 budget proposals to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $2,175 and expand existing institutional aid grants to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and other minority-serving institutions. This would be a substantial down payment on the president’s promise to double the maximum Pell Grant, a proven and effective program which helps roughly seven million moderate- and low-income students gain access to postsecondary education each year. And it recognizes the singular importance of HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs and other minority-serving institutions and the need to correct existing inequities in higher education.
While we also appreciate proposed increases for the TRIO, GEAR UP and CCAMPIS programs, we are concerned that the administration has proposed cutting critical student aid programs, such as Federal Work-Study and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). ACE and the higher education community will be working with Congress and the administration to show why further increases in those programs are necessary and represent wise investments in the nation’s human capital. Likewise, we believe that lawmakers will understand the importance of going beyond the administration’s budget proposals in the areas of scientific and medical research. We look forward to working with the administration and Congress as these proposals are turned into detailed legislative language and advance through the appropriations process.”