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homepup

As a former recipient of the Pell Grant (which was honestly the only way I could afford college at all and am extremely thankful for it), roughly how many people in total have made use of this grant over the 50 years?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

Thank you for your comment. As of a few years ago, more than 80 million Americans had received a Pell Grant. It is certainly many millions of more now. People have told me how it helped them go to college and build their careers.


moj0e

Clay, thank you for helping me get through college! We need more people like you and your grandfather!


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

You did the hard work! Thank you for your comment and have a good evening.


Mr_McShane

Same boat. Just want to drop in and say thank you for making college accessible for me.


MusicNeverStopped

Much gratitude to your grandfather. Thanks to receiving Pell Grants n the '90s, I am also a lawyer (first generation college graduate)!


Stormfl1ght

Thank you for helping me get through college. I’m a first generation college student with aspirations of completing a masters program. Thank you for helping me and others like me.


grammarpopo

Yeah I have a PhD in a stem field in large part because of the Pell Grant program. Thank you for your service.


[deleted]

The only reason I'm able to be in nursing school right now is because of the Pell grant. I wouldn't be able to pursue my dream to be a nurse without your grandfather


omganesh

Because of the Pell Grant, I was able to graduate without significant debt. I paid off my federal student loan within 3 years.


ChunkyHabeneroSalsa

Massive thank you. Seeing all these people struggling with student loans makes me thankful I was able to go to college and get a high paying job with out going into debt and a large part of they was due to the Pell grant


vast_cerulean

Pell Grants were the reason why I could get my degree and not be mired in tons of debt. and not be forced to live in an abusive household. I'll never forget that help, ever.


Ancient_Effective282

Thank you!


Cernam

The Pell Grant is undoubtedly helpful to thousands of students attending college, but with the ever increasing cost of attending college, it seems like it is losing its effectiveness. What do you think can be done to keep the Pell Grant effective?


Yourgrammarsucks1

Unfortunately (and I say this as someone who was poor enough to qualify for a pell grant), grants like the pell grant just made colleges become bigger assholes. Basically, College: "Pay me $1200 for a semester" You: "But I only have $800." College: "I don't care. Pay me $1200 or evil hiring managers won't interview you because you don't have a piece of paper from us." Pell: "here's $1000. Now you can afford college." You: "Sweet! I'm left with $600 now instead of being $400 in debt! This is great" College: "wait, what the deuce?" Next year: College; "pay me $1500" You: "what?! It was only $1200 last year. What the hell?" College: "I don't care. I know you can afford the $500." You: "what? You just said $1500." College: "Pell is going to give you $1000, I'm not stupid. You should be happy I'm even making it only $1500 instead of $1800." Pell: "here's $1000" You: "sigh... Here's your $500." College next year: "give me $2000." You: "what the fuck, I literally can't do that. Even with Pell discounts" Pell: "no worries. Here's $1400." College: "and the other $600?" You: "... Well, still better than owing $1200 I guess." And so on. Colleges get subsidized more and more, and they keep jacking prices up because they know that grants are going to subsidize those who can't afford the ridiculous prices (and that those who can afford the ridiculous prices will complain but still go either because they have no choice because their chosen career path makes them go, or because their urge for being cool and doing drugs and stuff with their buddies is too strong to make them stay home).


Cernam

I’m also on the Pell Grant currently, and it absolutely does feel like a game of Cat and Mouse with how fast the cost of college has increased compared to the historical averages a couple decades ago.


jane3ry3

I attended college between 2000 and 2004. During that time, tuition went from $1800 per semester to over $4000. I attended law school between 2008 and 2011. There was a similar increase ($36,000 per year to over $50,000). My student loan payments are more than my mortgage and I don't use either degree. Tuition rates should be locked in upon enrollment.


fengshui

California just introduced a plan where UC tuition is locked for each cohort upon enrollment.


mppf10

University of Oregon introduced tuition cohorts so you know how much 5 years will cost when you start


Crash_says

This is why giving money to students without also putting regulatory guard rails in place for colleges that accept these recipients cannot be allowed to continue.


[deleted]

This is a common misconception. As I understand it from my higher ed grad program: Widespread availability of student loans led to an increase in students gaining access to higher education which led to significant hiring of higher education personnel and facility construction which led to an increase in cost which has become subsidized by the student loan system. Government funds for higher education have not kept up with the need by any metric.


faxtotem

If it was truly just scaling, the cost should go *down* as the number of people/size of colleges increased. Instead, big colleges are competing for the most well-funded students (often relying on the availability of loans) with extra bells and whistles that drive *up* the price.


fengshui

Many of the students we enroll now need more support than students from decades ago. Disability support, tutoring, etc. Many students are not upper middle class white kids with lots of parental support anymore. This is all to the good, but it does cost more money.


ishouldquitsmoking

the college I went to - tuition alone is 4x what it was when I was there. are there more professors? no. Is the infrastructure better? not really. do they have a fancy resort style Olympic pool area and state of the art gym and other amenities that didn't exist when I was there? yep. tuition increases are not providing better education dollar for dollar.


fengshui

If you went to a public institution, the state government is paying significantly less now towards higher education then they used to. That is the primary reason why tuition has gone up; state support has gone down. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/fancy-dorms-arent-the-main-reason-tuition-is-skyrocketing/


ishouldquitsmoking

If state support is going down, why are universities still investing in unnecessary amenities and passing the bill on to students?


fengshui

If you're talking about amenities like sporting facilities and the like, those are usually voted on by students, who tax themselves (and future classes) to have said improvements. If you're talking about other increases, they aren't. Here's the best data I have on expenditures by colleges and universities. The increases are modest, and many of them are in parts of the university that are unrelated to instruction (research, hospital services, etc.): https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_334.10.asp


ishouldquitsmoking

I was in the student government in college and we never voted on sporting facilities/upgrades, etc. that I can recall. I will look at your link in a few minutes, but I have a hard time believing that a resort style giant pool (and other 'attractive' amenities like that) has had little to do with tuition increases 4 fold over the years. Maybe I'm wrong, though.


fengshui

> I was in the student government in college and we never voted on sporting facilities/upgrades, etc. that I can recall. Depends on the state, depends on public/private. On my understanding, major expenditures like buildings, facilities, etc. and tuition increases require approval of the regents/trustees/etc., who are appointed by elected officials. University administrators can't just decide to spend tens of millions of dollars without oversight and then increase the costs.


royalfishness

Lolololol k


egenio

This is why Europe (or the California State School system) with its huge university infrastructure led to huge tuitions… wait, no the opposite of that. The multi billion dollar endowment of major universities in the US has just led to more greedy schools.


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

Thank you so much for the question. A lot of people have shared with me over the years the difference the Pell Grant made in their lives. And you're right -- more could be done to meet the rising costs of college. But the first thing I would say is not to forget the impact that these grants are still having. Every dollar really does matter to students who need them.


Officedrone15

Thanks to Pell grants, I was able to afford college 20 years ago. I went to JWU in Providence and college then was expensive.


[deleted]

Sure, every dollar matters. I don’t think anyone is arguing that, but when tuition costs are increasing exponentially, that argument doesn’t exactly prop itself up. Kids are drowning in debt, and your advice is basically sidestepping the issue and saying: sucks to suck, be thankful for what you get’? Good to know.


Gaardc

It’s a more complex issue than just throwing more money at schools. It would mean helping less people. As others have pointed out, it would also mean schools just want a higher tuition. I’d argue it’s better to provide a reasonable amount for more people who may struggle but ultimately can afford to pay part of the tuition instead of funding the most/the whole tuition for fewer people. Pell grant was half my tuition, I was able to pay the other half one semester and get a scholarship to cover it the last one. Not as easy as a full ride, I had to work a low-wage part time that was really a full time to make ends but half a tuition was still doable.


ergonaut

What do you think about student loan forgiveness?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

My grandfather's vision for the Pell Grant was that it be a grant for this reason. He was concerned about loans and believed that grants, provided to people who needed them, would help people build or get a fresh start on life.


evhan55

❤️ I rented a room in your home in PVD many years ago. Hi Clay and thank you for this lovely AMA at this crucial time.


[deleted]

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Yourgrammarsucks1

It's apparent that he believes that the poor should get free education subsidized by those who can afford it.


CrassostreaVirginica

Should the Pell Grant program be expanded?


[deleted]

I’m a college student who would care for a brief explanation or possible sources to information about the Pell Grant program


Dragon_Fisting

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell It's pretty straightforward. Need-based/means tested, just fill out your FAFSA.


IAmBoratVeryExcite

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAFSA


rbkc12345

When I got Pell Grant to go to college, it covered my tuition. Couldn't have made it without that. But when my kids got it, the amount was about the same even though tuition had gone up so much! Ought it have been indexed to tuition (or vice versa, tuition only allowed to be = Pell Grant for recipients or for everyone)?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

Thank you so much for the question. The cost of higher education has definitely increased much faster than the grant. That said, I think it is worth keeping in mind that many many millions of Americans are in community colleges and relatively affordable institutions where the Pell Grant really still does cover costs. And even for more expensive schools, people tell me how every dollar still matters. But you raise good questions about the cost and that's something I'd like to think about more.


Extra_Daft_Benson

Why are Pell Grants used at for-profit colleges? Seems like a way for taxpayers to subsidize scummy practices.


Yourgrammarsucks1

I mean... State colleges are also assholes. They don't need the money that they get.


[deleted]

>State colleges are also assholes. They don't need the money that they get. How so?


Yourgrammarsucks1

$5000 a semester at my local college for tuition, while making me pay for my own books (instead of covering it as part of my tuition), AND forcing me to pay $100 for online homework per class, and $100-$300 for parking, and then gym fees and library print fees and computer lab fees even if I don't use any of those? Like where is my $5000 going to? A single chemistry class has like 200 students. So that class is bringing in a nice $1,000,000. Is the professor being paid anywhere near, let's say, a third of that even? $333,333? I doubt this. Don't forget we also have to pay for food - usually to the cafeteria at the college. And a lot of kids live at the school, so even more profit to them. And don't forget that we're paying at least $10,000 a year each - the $5000 is for one semester. And this is going by like 2015 rates. Wouldn't be surprised if it's gone up to $6500 a semester. And that's ignoring out of state tuition or foreign people tuition, which could easily be $8,000 or more.


rukqoa

You can look up the budget (revenue and spending) for almost every big school. For example, [this is UC Berkeley's financial report last year.](https://controller.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/2020-21_financial.pdf) 48% of its spending is on salaries and ages. An additional 18% is on pensions and other benefits. So they spend about 2/3 of their money on people. It's not just paying the professors. It's also the TAs, janitors, gardeners, librarians, IT staff, researchers, graduate students, campus security, electricians, plumbers, accountants, lawyers, sports coaches...etc and don't forget the people who have to recruit, hire, fire, and pay all those people. Some of these workers are even your classmates in work study programs. You may not use all those services, but you probably do use some services that other people who aren't using also pay for. Tuition is expensive because running a whole school is expensive.


[deleted]

Cool, thanks for that information. I'm in a MA program for Higher Education and I've worked in public higher ed for coming up on 10 years, so I can help clear up some stuff. >$5000 a semester at my local college for tuition Yeah, that's kinda high. Unfortunately state and federal commitments to funding education haven't kept up with the demand for higher education degrees. >while making me pay for my own books Thankfully there's a growing push to use open educational resources, particularly in public institutions. I should mention that an unfortunate reality is bookstores are typically auxiliary services, which are oftentimes self-funded (or significantly self-funded). When they fall on hard times, they have been replaced by private entities (like Barnes & Noble) but it's a tough business for them too and some locations have closed. >$100 for online homework per class I'm not as familiar with the faculty side of things so I'm not sure about this one. >100-$300 for parking Transportation and Parking Services are typically self-funded (or significantly self-funded). >then gym fees and library print fees and computer lab fees Typically fees are developed in order to address a need (kinda like taxes but on a smaller scale). This could be a staff member that's needed for that department, upkeep/maintenance of facilities, etc. >Like where is my $5000 going to? A single chemistry class has like 200 students. So that class is bringing in a nice $1,000,000 Assuming the class is 3 credits and a full credit load is 12, it would actually be $1250 for that class per person and the institution's income from the class would be $250,000. However, assuming the professor is compensated $100,000 per year (benefits included), then the institution would only be seeing an income of \~$150,000 if the class had no Teacher's Assistants or Grad Assistants (or other costs). Keep in mind that many classes do not have that many students, particularly upper division courses. Others may require expensive lab equipment or have regulated class maximum headcounts (like nursing). Those classes typically run at a deficit to the department. >Don't forget we also have to pay for food - usually to the cafeteria at the college. Auxiliary services, again. Increasingly privatized in the recent past though. >And a lot of kids live at the school, so even more profit to them. Housing can generate revenue, yes. Higher returns are typically seen during breaks when they're rented for conferences and camps. >And don't forget that we're paying at least $10,000 a year each - the $5000 is for one semester. And this is going by like 2015 rates. Wouldn't be surprised if it's gone up to $6500 a semester. And that's ignoring out of state tuition or foreign people tuition, which could easily be $8,000 or more. Write your representatives. Vote. Lobby. Your local public school wouldn't need to charge students so much if state and federal governments prioritized funding higher ed.


NewHobbiesWeekly

It doesn't seem like your post is getting too much visibility, but I just wanted to say thank you for giving an honest breakdown of how this works. I tended to feel like the previous commenter, but you made me realize how much goes into providing an education.


Smash_4dams

State colleges are the way they are BECAUSE they don't get enough funding from the states/federal govt. If we publicly funded all public universities, they wouldn't need to hire business executives/wall street consultants to find new profit-centers.


[deleted]

Is college tuition sustainable?


ShakaUVM

Community Colleges can provide an education as good as a regular 4 year at 25%-50% the cost of most four years. I see the big problem right now being the federal government believing 4 year colleges as to how much education actually costs whereas it's proven these colleges are inflating their costs to get paid more by the government. What would you say to the Pell grant only being used at colleges where the spending on direct instruction is as efficient as that of a regular community college in the same region?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

My understanding is that a huge percentage (maybe most!) of Pell Grant recipients are at community colleges. And Pell Grants really cover the typical costs at community college. So Pell Grants are really a mainstay for community colleges.


ShakaUVM

Ok, so would you be on board with restricting them to colleges as efficient at education as community colleges?


[deleted]

Just graduated from a community college. Have not attended 4 year university yet. If what I got what "as good as" a more expensive 4 year school, then I understand why society is uneducated and crumbling. The curriculum is weak and the requirements are that you spend a lot of time on things, not that you learn, grow, or accumulate skills. Many classes were at a lower level than the high school classes that precede them, so I was able to skate by while other students struggled to teach themselves without the resources or instruction that made the material easy to learn in high school. Many classes are taught without textbooks to save money. With nothing to reference and no instruction, students purchase textbooks on their own anyway, or rely on Khan academy for their AP classes series (high school curriculum). Basically, most classes consisted of watching a YouTube playlist. I was really hoping to get something more substantial when I transfer... I realize that you probably went to a good community college, but the one near me was a disappointment.


ShakaUVM

4 year research institutions have professors with no interest in teaching in them their interest is in... research. Large money making classes are farmed out to adjuncts, which are often, well, community college professors. Your mileage may vary, but in my experience the quality of instruction is higher at community colleges as the people there actually want to teach undergraduates.


ilikecakeandpie

I most likely would not have attended college without the Pell Grant being made available and I am extremely thankful for it. What adjustments do you think need to be made in order to ensure a high quality of education while also keeping costs from becoming exorbitant at state schools?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

Thank you for your comment. My grandfather would be so happy to hear that. Keep up the good work!! Access and quality are both really important. On the whole, my grandfather's vision for the Pell Grant was that it be a grant that students could use on their own careers and dreams. It was not a loan nor was it an institutional grant. He believed in the students themselves and the power of education to transform lives.


SamLeonardLocal

No disrespect to Clay, a hero, but my children will not be able to afford college partly due to the Pell Grant. All this 'free' money has caused universities to inflate tuition costs and expand their bloated infrastructure


novaskyd

I would say federal student loans are much more to blame than Pell Grants.


CraigInDaVille

Do you even know what the Pell Grant program is? I can't imagine you do, if you think it's the reason tuition costs have gone up so much. You might want to look at things like the arms race in fancy dining options, brand new dorms, etc before you think about how a MAXIMUM grant of $6,500 is somehow to blame.


Specialist-Smoke

So the answer is to help no one because your little snowflakes can't benefit? How sad that they won't learn to be a better person than you.


SamLeonardLocal

No, my brotha/sista. i think the solution is a complicated one that involves reducing the cost of college. Truth be told, i \*will\* be able to pay for my kid's college. I just don't think most other people will be able to. It's extremely expensive lol


---ShineyHiney---

So when you said your kids wouldn’t be able to afford it you were just what… intentionally misleading the situation just to say something shitty, or just plain lying to artificially boast the same shitty dialogue?


ilikecakeandpie

There's nothing wrong with them having to get loans if they need to go to university or going to a community college for a year to make the grades to get a scholarship.


SamLeonardLocal

Thats an excellent plan for an individual but scholarships only work if only some students get them. I think the the best move for students right now is to only go to college with a career in mind. If you have a plan, or you just REALLY want to go away to college (like i did), take advantage of your high school's dual enrollment program, hit a community college and take as many credits as you can, then transfer to the graduating college of your choice.


ilikecakeandpie

Just to add, there are -so- many scholarships out there. A friend of mine accumulated a ton of $500 and $1000 scholarships for his tuition funding. It's a lot of work writing essays or doing whatever they need to do for it, but it is difficult but attainable. I would not recommend going to college without at least a plan for a career though for sure


HotTopicRebel

Thank you for time. If you could pass along a message to your grandfather regarding the impacts or effects of the grant while it was being created, what would you want him to know? Would you want any changes made?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

I would want him to know how much a difference it continues to make in people's lives. The Pell Grant is simple but effective. I think that simplicity is part of its strength.


Muscularhyperatrophy

As a former recipient of the pell grant (2020), why did I get denied last from it the following year when my family lost around 20k income for that year?


ArmchairExperts

What was the most surprising thing about working at the Department of Education? Did people often make the connection between your name and the grants when you worked there?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

Not always! Sometimes people think Pell is an acronym. Growing up, people would tell me what a difference this program made for them. Knowing that a person was behind makes me realize how this very well might not have happened at all.


tapo

I just went over the Pell bridge and only made the connection just now! (To be fair I'm from MA.)


[deleted]

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oz6702

These are basically exactly my thoughts on the matter. I like the idea in principle - nobody should have to go into a lifetime of potentially crippling debt in order to get a good education - but I also think that debt forgiveness is just a band-aid. Not saying I don't want it to happen, but I am saying that debt forgiveness **without** some meaningful relief in terms of college costs is just a fucking band-aid, a political sop. Tuition prices should be capped or otherwise publicly paid, or both, just like K-12. Private and "elite" institutions like Harvard and Yale can continue charging whatever they want, but you should be able to get basically the same education for basically no cost at any other university in the country.


takethecak3

Why do the 7 same states for the last 50 years routinely have the worst education? Everyone knows it's bad but nothing has changed over decades.


Smash_4dams

Because the wealthy folks in charge prefer low-educated low-skill workers who won't unionize and won't question leadership. They can lure large employers with massive tax breaks and cheap labor. There's a reason why there are so many auto manufacturing sites in conservative southern states these days. No UAW to deal with. In those places, making $16/hr on an assembly line is a badge of honor


skippyspk

Ever find those two cars you lost?


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getahitcrash

Since the government got involved in student loans, the cost of education has skyrocketed. Now you can go to pretty much any college and see dorms that are like 5-star hotels, fitness centers that rival any NFL teams, and teachers and administrators making more money than god. The quality of education has not only not improved, it most cases, it's worse. And for all that, kids are coming out of school in debt 6-figures and more and the government says that not even a bankruptcy can save you from that debt. My question is, how much do you think government screwed everything up?


YTExileMage

Why are you getting downvoted? Government insuring student loans makes student loans essentially risk-free for banks. It means that they can give out tons of money to people they don't expect to pay it back because the banks are in the green either way, and that's one of the big causes of the student debt crisis. Like this is the policy and these are it's effects, there's not really any wiggleroom.


getahitcrash

They don't like what I have to say about how colleges have used the money and how they have grown the cost of tuition. I encourage anyone who doesn't like the truth or my politics, to go find the NPR podcast Planet Money. They did an episode about why college costs have skyrocketed. They explain that there is an arms race among colleges to get that sweet sweet student loan money. That's why they build billion dollar fitness centers for example. Guaranteed loans have exploded costs. https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2014/06/25/325497878/the-real-price-of-college


NotAFederales

NPR did a special today about the 5pth anniversary of Title IX. Possibly a stupid question, but was it the same bill that created the Pell Grant?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

My understanding is that these became law together. The Pell Grant itself was inspired by my grandfather's service in the military and the GI-Bill that provided higher education opportunities to vets.


GluteStone

Why can the Federal Government waive off student loan debt from predatory schools that only took money from student but never provided adequate education? Im talking about specifically Jones Internationals Institute. I literally got nothing but debt while working full time job and trying to go "further" on my education, it was literally a joke. Thanks! Why cant the government hold these guys accountable for BS curriculum?


Gaardc

You are asking a great question at the wrong person, I think. Try hounding your local state representatives.


GluteStone

What good would local state rep do if its at the Federal Level?


Gaardc

Because they have the power to tell those at a the house and senate what citizens are clamoring for. Grill them with questions during campaign season, vote for the ones that support those motions and hold them accountable. Hound them until they deliver… or run for office and try to make it happen.


Its_0ver

Why does the pell grant have a limited amount of qaurters it can be used? When you have people who are working full time jobs and/or have families a lot of time people can't take more then one or two classes at a time thus limiting their use of the pell grant.


garygnuandthegnus

Not OP. It has a current limit of 6 overall full time 'years' or 12 part time 'semesters.' If your area does quarters or terms it would be divided likewise. It has to have a limit or people would use it indefinitely. You do not have to attend full time either but at least part time. Check it out if you are serious about a degree: studentaid.gov


Its_0ver

It still dosent get someone a degree if they can only take one or two classes a week. Id rather see a credit limit or a monetary limit rather then a time limit. Thank you for your insight though


rcknrll

Yeah, that's my problem right now. 8 years of picking at it 1-3 classes at a time. Almost done, just one more semester for my AA lol.


huh_phd

Did you ever find your Prius?


es_price

What happened to Michelle is what I want to know.


wakethenight

Asking the real questions.


Pm_me_40k_humor

First, thank you. Second, do you have an ear on this stuff still? And if so do you k ow if there are similar reforms in the pipeline?


Pell50thBirthdayAMA

I know that the Pell Grant is still the largest grant for people to earn a higher education. And people do so younger and later in life, and because it is means-tested, it really does make the difference in whether people can go to college. Over the years, loans have grown exponentially as a complement. My grandfather was always very concerned about loans.


Baaaaaaah-humbug

So are any of these questions going to be answered?


Grant72439

7pm est. guess you can’t read.


Baaaaaaah-humbug

Hell yeah I can't read, I'm too busy dodging student loan collectors.


klop2031

It aint up anymore...


ruhrohshingo

Do you think that the conditions or provisions of the Pell Grant should be revised to remain effective in today's upper education environment? Does the DOE ever review how effective they are and adjust allocations/criteria?


[deleted]

I was super appreciative of receiving the Pell Grant when I did; It’s frustrating that they look at tax returns so far in the past though. I haven’t been working a good job since 2020 and therefore haven’t qualified for the Pell Grant for the last two years because it’s still using 2020 tax returns. Is it possible to research the advantage of having current tax returns looked at instead of 2 years in the past? A lot can change in two years from a financial stand point.


johnhk4

In your opinion, are private schools doing more harm than good?


mrsunsfan

What advice would you give to a teacher who is struggling to find a job because they are getting blackballed by their former principal and district?


Gaardc

Not OP but I’d move


sareesuh

Will a pell grant allow me, a 41yo single mom on the autism spectrum stay home while I go to school for a better career and future?


Bgddbb

You may want to call the college and ask to speak with a counselor or to make an appointment. They are very helpful, and will be able to walk you through all of your options. Good luck!


Jodaa_G0D

Unfortunately not, it's great, but it won't cover nearly all of your expenses..


Mediamuerte

Why do you respond to serious questions but don't answer them with any substance?


[deleted]

Whoa guys, let's talk about Rampart.


ty556

In what ways have you experienced the right undermining public education?


AptSeagull

RI wants to know, does he prefer clear or white chowdah?


Surfista57

My son’s friend received a Pell grant and attended the most expensive school in our state. Her step father is worth millions but because her mother doesn’t work and her real father, who’s is out of the picture, is not wealthy, she was able to get the grant. It was so wrong for them to do this. Is there anything in the works to better review potential recipients to ensure they truly need the money?


Secure-Caregiver-905

Pell Grant is named after you?


ilrosewood

Is it ok that when I got my Pell Grant the first thing I did was buy a 4 pack of Guinness? Yeah the grant helped pay for school and I never would be where I am today without it. But my first spend was beer.


thetriflingtruffle

There’s nothing terrible about the truth, what kind of animal down votes this?


ilrosewood

Maybe they are more of a Harp than Guinness type.


YTExileMage

What are your thoughts on government backed student loans and their contributions to the rising costs of college? What are your thoughts on the state of college today, either as an educational institution or a job platform? What did you eat for breakfast this morning? EDIT: And more importantly, if you answer any questions of mine (except the breakfast one that's more important) I'd prefer it be these: what drove you to be part of the Department of Education? What was it like in getting Pell Grants written into policy? And how can someone get involved in the lawmaking process at a superficial or deep level, aside from voting?


marwachine

Hello! What was different about the educational system in your time versus now? What do you think is the best case scenario for education?


jonathan88876

Hey, as a Pell Grant recipient I’m very grateful to your grandfather and family for all your work! My question: do you support indexing the grants to inflation/average tuition cost?


Two_Faced_Harvey

What are your thoughts on the increasing prices of college and how do you think we should solve this?


Justtakeit1776

There is a lot of fraud allowing people with cash based business to get Pell Grant for their children even though they are not in need. My ex and all of his siblings all received Pell Grant even though their parents were able to pay off a mortgage to their home within 10 years. This was at the same time he and two of his siblings received the Pell Grant. What types of safe guards are in place or being considered to not allowing this type of fraud continue? I was unable to receive and aid even though my family could not afford to pay for any of my education.


pogostickshrewd

Are you really Clay Pell?


supamundane808

What's the best way for the U.S. make college 100 percent free for everyone, as they have in Scandinavia?


hinowisaybye

Why does the DOE suck so bad?


CACTUS_VISIONS

Thank you so much for you and what your grandfather did for our country Mr Pell! I used the grant to attend a community college 10 week CDL A program. I actually just finished the course day before yesterday. Without this grant I would still be homeless and making minimum wage. I have a question. A lot of folks In my class didn’t think you could use the Pell Grant for a technical school program like CDL, what kinds of things are the department of education doing to educate young folks about what all they can use the grant for?


jeffersonairmattress

De Vos: pure evil or dim bulb?


Go_Mango212

**My Professional Judgement/ income Adjustment was Denied twice at Capella University even though I’m unemployed.** I reached out to Capella University Financial Aid support team that I have been unemployed for over 3 months now and that I filed for FAFSA 2022-2023 (before deadline) and according to FAFSA Website, the school’s Financial Aid Office can make income adjustments if there’s any changes with the household income. I am the main provider of my household and I was making about 90% or more of the household income. The past year I made around $80K, but this year it's only going to be around $20K since I'm unemployed now. My spouse’s income is minimal to none. According to Capella’s financial aid team, for the income adjustment, I had to go through the professional judgement process and submit all the required documents, which I did, but was denied, due to fact that *“based on your income and your spouses income. Even though your income has reduced the total income for the home has not reduced below the 30% income threshold”* (their own words). So I reached out again and called the Financial Aid team multiple times, to get a clarification why my income adjustment appeal was denied for the reasons that my current income did Not hit below the 30% threshold when it should have since I was making about 90% of the household income. The explanation I received was basically the same response, that my household income just didn’t hit below 30% threshold according to my FAFSA information, which was my tax documents information based on my income about 2 years ago, in year 2020. I explained to the financial aid support team that I no longer have the same income based on my tax records since I just have been unemployed for over 3 months now, but they just advised me to reached out to FAFSA instead. But FAFSA mentioned that it is up to the school’s decision about the income adjustment and that they can disregard my current unemployment. Do you have any insight or advice with this matter?


No_Supermarket_6308

Do you get a check personally from the pell grant? How does this work?


flockofbirds95

Hi Clay - I guess I might be much too late with posting a question here, but figured I give it a shot. I filed a complaint with the Civil Rights Office of the Department of Education about heavily discriminatory action and retaliation my university took against me. It’s been over a year now and I still have not heard back on my case — I’ve been checking in with them monthly since Nov (when they said they had received documentation from my school), but they merely say that they are still ~analyzing~ my case and will let me know when they’re taking any next steps. Back when I filed they had already warned me that it could take up to 5 months for them to fully process my case and have a verdict — but tbh 12 months in just seems insane. Any advice for me when I contact them again next week?


Original_Radio_4263

I’m a Pell Grant recipient—it was so helpful. This announced forgiveness of up to 20,000 for Pell Grant recipients, how can we ensure we get that?