In 2022, Federal Pell Grants helped nearly 7 million students throughout the country pursue and succeed in higher education. Of which, 997 were University of St. Thomas students for a total of $4,934,356.

This week we are celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Federal Pell Grant and the substantial impact this program has had on higher education. 50 years ago on the Senate floor, Senator Pell said, “a lack of financial wealth should not, and will not, stand in the way of a person who has the talent, the desire and the drive to reach out for a college education.”

Being able to offer students the opportunity to better themselves by attaining a higher education is priceless. The Pell Grant has had such a tremendous, and in some cases generational, impact on the 80 million students and families who have received these critical funds since the inception of this program.

Currently, the maximum Pell Grant award amount is $6,495 per student per academic year. In 1972, the Pell Grant program originally intended to cover the majority of the cost of higher education including tuition, room and board, and books, this award amount no longer suffices in covering most of those expenses.

The University of St. Thomas is committed to providing life-changing education to deserving students regardless of financial situations. I hope you will take a few minutes to help us acknowledge how truly important and impactful the Pell Grant is as we mark this landmark anniversary and thank our elected officials for their continued commitment to these efforts.