Pell Grant Restoration
Brief History:
The Pell Grant program was created in 1965 as part of the Higher Education Act to provide financial assistance to students who come from low-income families and cannot afford the cost of attending college. In 1994, however, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was signed into law, which included a provision that eliminated Pell Grant eligibility for individuals who are incarcerated in federal or state prisons. This policy effectively cut off access to higher education for many prisoners, making it difficult for them to acquire the skills and education necessary to successfully reintegrate into society after serving their sentences.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to restore Pell Grant eligibility for prisoners, with advocates such as Unlock Higher Ed (UHE) arguing that education is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism and help individuals successfully transition back into their communities. In 2015, the Obama administration launched the Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative, which allowed a limited number of colleges and universities to offer Pell Grants to prisoners in select states. This pilot program was later expanded several times, bringing the total number of schools to 200.
Following the success of Second Chance Pell, Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act in late 2020, which made several major improvements to higher education access for justice-impacted college students. Not only did it remove the drug conviction and selective service questions from the FAFSA, but it also repealed the 1994 ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated students. However, in the Ban's place, it created a new structure for higher ed in prison programs
This year, the Education Department will restore Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated students and allow any nonprofit higher education facility to launch a prison education program in a revised Second Chance Pell experiment. This restoration of Pell Grant eligibility is seen as a crucial step toward improving the rehabilitation and reentry outcomes for individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. There has also been a growing movement to provide digital and distance learning opportunities for prisoners, which can help to overcome the logistical and financial barriers that often make it difficult for incarcerated individuals to access educational resources.
Despite the successful restoration of Pell Grant eligibility, UHE recognizes that its work is far from over. As an integral part of the movement, UHE is closely monitoring the final regulations for the Pell Grants for Prison Education Programs (PEPs), advocating for fairness and proper implementation. UHE continues to be committed to advocating for those who are unable to advocate for themselves due to their current life circumstances. With the successful reinstatement of Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals, UHE stands watchfully to ensure the program's continued success.
The Pell Grant program was created in 1965 as part of the Higher Education Act to provide financial assistance to students who come from low-income families and cannot afford the cost of attending college. In 1994, however, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act was signed into law, which included a provision that eliminated Pell Grant eligibility for individuals who are incarcerated in federal or state prisons. This policy effectively cut off access to higher education for many prisoners, making it difficult for them to acquire the skills and education necessary to successfully reintegrate into society after serving their sentences.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to restore Pell Grant eligibility for prisoners, with advocates such as Unlock Higher Ed (UHE) arguing that education is one of the most effective ways to reduce recidivism and help individuals successfully transition back into their communities. In 2015, the Obama administration launched the Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative, which allowed a limited number of colleges and universities to offer Pell Grants to prisoners in select states. This pilot program was later expanded several times, bringing the total number of schools to 200.
Following the success of Second Chance Pell, Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act in late 2020, which made several major improvements to higher education access for justice-impacted college students. Not only did it remove the drug conviction and selective service questions from the FAFSA, but it also repealed the 1994 ban on Pell Grants for incarcerated students. However, in the Ban's place, it created a new structure for higher ed in prison programs
This year, the Education Department will restore Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated students and allow any nonprofit higher education facility to launch a prison education program in a revised Second Chance Pell experiment. This restoration of Pell Grant eligibility is seen as a crucial step toward improving the rehabilitation and reentry outcomes for individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. There has also been a growing movement to provide digital and distance learning opportunities for prisoners, which can help to overcome the logistical and financial barriers that often make it difficult for incarcerated individuals to access educational resources.
Despite the successful restoration of Pell Grant eligibility, UHE recognizes that its work is far from over. As an integral part of the movement, UHE is closely monitoring the final regulations for the Pell Grants for Prison Education Programs (PEPs), advocating for fairness and proper implementation. UHE continues to be committed to advocating for those who are unable to advocate for themselves due to their current life circumstances. With the successful reinstatement of Pell Grants for incarcerated individuals, UHE stands watchfully to ensure the program's continued success.