Dodd Introduces Legislation To Increase Pell Grants

by: Matt Browner Hamlin

Wed Mar 21, 2007 at 07:37:55 AM EDT

After having similar Democratic attempts shot down in the previous GOP-dominated Congress, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) has proposed legislation that would raise the maximum amount available under the Federal Pell Grant program to fund college educations for students from low and moderate-income families.

Dodd's S.899 would raise the maximum annual grants from the current $4,310 to $7,600 for the 2007-2008 academic year and would gradually increase the Pell Grant to $11,600 by the 2011-2012 school year.

"The benefits of Pell grant aid cannot be overstated. Pell grants are beneficial to individual students as well as our society as a whole," said Dodd. "By increasing the Pell grant, we make a college education more affordable, and thus, make it more likely that qualified and hard working low- and moderate-income students will attend. It would be a significant loss to this great Nation if a generation of individuals were not able to earn a college degree simply because they could not afford to pay for it."

Prepared to answer Republican criticism that the increase is too large initially and over the next five years, Dodd cites the fact that the buying power of the current grant is significantly smaller than it was 30 years ago. In 1975, the maximum Pell grant covered 80 percent of the average student's tuition, fees, room, and board at 4-year public universities, while in 2006 the typical grant covered just 33 percent of the total charges at the same schools.

"That's not just a drop in aid, it's a free-fall," said Dodd. "The cornerstone of American democracy is providing all citizens with access and opportunities so that through hard work they can achieve the 'American dream.' We must keep that dream alive by providing students the financial opportunity to attend college."

Ted Kennedy also introduced a National Sick Leave Bill yesterday. Put in parallel, it's clear that having Democrats hold the majority in the Senate means that legislation that this country's working families need will finally start getting attention from Congress. Not every problem we face today is created by the Bush administration's propensity for an authoritarian executive branch and a cloak of secrecy. Bill's like Dodd's and Kennedy's serve to restore the social support network needed to keep the American Dream alive for all of our citizens. What's more, this is the kind of legislation that makes the Democratic Party great, as it defines what our vision for government is in a positive way that helps people and protects families. Kudos to Senators Dodd & Kennedy!