Chancellor Khosla joins Associated Students President Manu Agni and students on Library Walk to ask Congress to 'Double the Pell.'

This year, the nation’s most important program for college affordability turns 50. Since it was created in 1972, the federal Pell Grant has helped low-income students pay for higher education. Unlike a loan, Pell Grants do not have to be repaid. And for many students, a Pell Grant provides a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added. These grants have given millions of students access to higher education, but over time its purchasing power has diminished. You can help change that. 

Colleges and universities all over America are celebrating this significant anniversary by calling on Congress to make doubling the Pell Grant a priority in the next federal budget. I joined Associated Students President Manu Agni and students and staff on Library Walk this afternoon to ask Congress to 'Double the Pell.' And you can too.

Join our Government Relations team on Library Walk tomorrow or Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m. Take five minutes to fill out a postcard asking your member of Congress to take action to Double the Pell. Post a picture of you and your postcard with the hashtag #DoublePell on social media, and we'll mail the postcard directly to your Representative. Easy and effective. 

Chancellor Khosla completes his 'Double the Pell' postcard.

Here is my message to Congress: "The world’s most impactful innovations have come from brilliant minds educated by American colleges and universities. Because of the Pell Grant, many of these minds have come from underserved and underprivileged communities. Double the Pell to adequately invest in the next generation of brilliant minds that drive new waves of discovery and promote greater economic prosperity for all Americans."

Chancellor Khosla holding his Double the Pell postcard.

Cost should never stop anyone from going to college. Congress has the opportunity to double the Pell Grant's maximum award so that higher education is accessible for today’s students and for generations to come. I hope you join me in asking Congress to Double the Pell.