Stefanik’s bill allows low-income high school students to access Pell Grants

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is an original cosponsor of a bipartisan bill that would authorize the U.S. Secretary of Education to create a pilot program to award college-in-high school Pell Grants.

Rep. Stefanik on June 13 introduced the Go to High School, Go to College Act, H.R. 3268, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) to establish a pilot program allowing low-income high school students enrolled in college courses to access the federal Pell Grant program.

“I’m hopeful that this bipartisan legislation will show students of every income level that college is a worthy and attainable goal,” Rep. Stefanik said last week.

If enacted, the bill would give students the opportunity to earn up to two semesters worth of college credits before drawing down from their 12-semester Pell Grant limit, according to a summary of the bill provided by the congresswoman’s office.

“Access to higher education is far too often reserved for those whose parents can afford to pay for it,” said Rep. Stefanik. “Additionally, completion rates are often directly tied to income status.”

Under H.R. 3268, students also could participate in dual enrollment programs and not be penalized financially for trying to find the right college for them, the summary says.

“As the first person in my immediate family to graduate college, I know firsthand the difficulties that can arise when finding a school,” Rep. Stefanik said.

H.R. 3268 has been referred to the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee for consideration.