Senate Approves Collins’ Bipartisan Amendment To Increase Accessibility To Higher Education

U.S. Senator Susan Collins introduced an amendment today that would make higher education more accessible for low-income Americans through the Federal Pell Grant Program. The bipartisan amendment, introduced to the Senate Budget Resolution with Senator Hirono (D-HI), passed by voice vote. Senator Collins also spoke from the Senate floor this morning advocating for the amendment’s passage.

This amendment creates a deficit neutral reserve fund to support the Federal Pell Grant Program and help students fulfill their dreams of a higher education. It would also allow for the reinstatement of year-round Pell Grants, which would permit eligible students to receive more than one Pell Grant in a single year, helping those who choose to accelerate their degrees by taking additional courses, including over the summer.

“Making higher education a reality for the next generation must remain among our nation’s top priorities. When I worked at Husson University in Bangor, I saw first-hand the impact Pell Grants had for many of our students and their families,” said Senator Collins. “Now, I have two talented women on my staff whose education and subsequent success was made possible by Pell Grants. With this amendment, Congress is closer to ensuring that the unprecedented success of this program can continue for future students.”

Senator Collins has been a longtime advocate for Pell Grants and has consistently supported efforts to help make higher education more accessible. In fact, one of the first bills Senator Collins introduced when she joined the Senate was the College Affordability and Access Act.

The Pell Grant program is one of the most successful need-based aid programs, assisting more than 8 million full- and part-time college and vocational school students last year.