by Susan Johnson

When Congress voted to restore year-round Pell in the 2017 omnibus budget, some declared victory. Students can now use these funds over summer terms and potentially accelerate degree completion. While this was a definite win, the fight to keep the Pell program well-funded to meet the ever-growing needs of today’s student continues and the list of necessary changes remains long: an increase in maximum awards, extended adjustments for inflation, and broader eligibility.

As a first-generation African-American student who received Pell, I can honestly state that I would not have completed college without it.