This week, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., showcased his support for a proposal to expand when college students can use Pell Grants.
Curbelo is playing a key role in U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s, R-N.Y., “Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act” which allows college students to use Pell Grants for summer term classes instead of just fall and spring semester courses.
“I am proud to be a co-lead of the Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act which will benefit students who wish to complete a post-secondary education more quickly and at a lower cost,” Curbelo noted on Thursday. “I applaud Rep. Elise Stefanik for her leadership on this important issue.”
The bill was sent to the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee on which Curbelo sits. On Monday, Curbelo said he would advocate for the bill on the committee. The bill has already garnered more than 12 co-sponsors including U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., though it has yet to find a sponsor in the U.S. Senate.
Stefanik explained her rationale for introducing the bill last week when she brought it out.
“Right now, Pell Grants are only available for qualifying students during the fall and spring semesters,” Stefanik said. “By expanding the eligibility window to include summer classes and increasing the possible maximum Pell Grant award by 50 percent, we can make sure that low- and middle-income families have added flexibility to achieve a college degree. As the first member of my immediate family to graduate from college, making higher education more affordable and more accessible is a top priority of mine as a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.”
President Eduardo Padron of Miami-Dade College and President Jonathan Gueverra of Florida Keys Community College announced this week they were behind the bill.
"Since Miami-Dade College ranks first in the nation for Pell Grant recipients, we support this effort which is focused on providing greater flexibility and support for our students,” Padron said. “We hope it is the first of many changes to help the neediest of our students."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
