Sec. 303. Affirming that Federal Pell Grants are a foundational investment in affordable higher education
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Congress finds the following: Research shows that with higher educational attainment, individuals are more likely to be employed, earn higher wages, secure health and retirement benefits, make healthier life choices, and be more engaged citizens of their communities. Higher education, whether at a 2- or 4-year institution, can help people of the United States from lower income backgrounds climb into the middle class. In 2015, more than 20,000,000 students enrolled in colleges and universities in the United States—an increase of 4,900,000 since 2000.
Despite the benefits of further education beyond high school, many students from low-income backgrounds do not attend college. According to the United States Census Bureau, approximately 80 percent of high school graduates from the wealthiest families pursue higher education, while only a little more than half from the lowest income quartile attend college. Federal Pell Grants provide need-based aid to students who want to further their education and are the single largest source of grant aid for helping students afford college.
In award year 2013–2014, an estimated 73 percent of all Pell Grant recipients had a total family income equal to or less than $30,000. In 2015, more than 8,200,000 students, or approximately 41 percent of all undergraduates, used Federal Pell Grants to finance their education. It is the sense of the Senate that Congress should— affirm that Federal Pell Grants are a foundational investment in affordable higher education for students and families; and commit to ensuring that Federal Pell Grants remain a stable source of financial support for students and families.