June 30th 2023.
The Pell Grant program, which typically helps people who need financial assistance to attend college, is now offering its services to prisoners. According to The Associated Press, thousands of incarcerated individuals have already benefited from the federal government’s financial aid program.
Unlike a loan, the Pell Grant does not need to be paid back. This is a great opportunity for those who are unable to cover tuition costs. In August 2023, the program will expand, providing roughly $130 million in aid to an estimated 30,000 prisoners each year.
Naturally, the decision to give taxpayer money to prisoners has been a controversial one. When the Obama administration first allowed for the Pell Grant program to be used by prisoners, many Republicans were against it, believing the money should be used to improve job training and re-entry programs instead. Despite the opposition, the ban was lifted in 2020.
Since then, hundreds of colleges and universities in the US, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. have taken advantage of the government’s aid. With the upcoming expansion, any college that wants to offer their services to prisoners will be able to do so.
The Pell Grant program gives prisoners the chance to gain a college degree while serving time, ultimately providing them with a better chance of avoiding recidivism. It's a great initiative that will hopefully lead to positive outcomes in the future.
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