Marymount University is proud to participate in a national campaign to double the maximum Pell Grant to $13,000 and help more students earn a degree, secure a good-paying job and achieve a brighter future.
#DoublePell is a national campaign led by the Double Pell Alliance, a coalition of higher education associations, organizations and advocacy groups committed to doubling the maximum Pell Grant by the 50th anniversary of the creation of the program in June 2022. The Pell Grant is a proven program and the foundation of federal student aid for decades, helping nearly 7 million low and moderate-income students attend and complete college annually.
Marymount is a higher education institution that prides itself on expanding education access for students while offering a private, Catholic education at an affordable price. An important component to those goals is a supportive federal Pell Grant program, as 32 percent of first-time degree-seeking Marymount students received Pell Grants in 2018-19, with an average amount of $4,743.
“By doubling the maximum Pell Grant amount, our nation would instantly create a more equitable higher education system that produces a world of opportunities for students who would otherwise not have a pathway to a college degree,” said Dr. Irma Becerra, President of Marymount University. “As a Cuban-born immigrant whose family came to this country with nothing, access to Pell Grants truly made a significant difference in my life and future career as an educator and university administrator, and I will always advocate for students to receive the same opportunities.”
The campaign features a new website, doublepell.org, which provides students and families with the tools needed to communicate with Congress, engage with the issue on social media and share personal stories about how the Pell Grant has helped them while expressing their support for doubling Pell. The website’s Take Action page includes a customizable letter that students, families, alumni and other stakeholders can send to their members of Congress, as well as shareable social media graphics to amplify the message of the #DoublePell campaign.
For millions of students, Pell Grants make the difference between being able to attend college or not. Pell Grants are well-targeted to students with clear financial need – nearly 90 percent of all Pell dollars go to students with a family income below $50,000, and are especially critical for students of color. Congress is currently considering proposals to increase the maximum Pell Grant by a total of $1,875. While that represents an improvement, the American Council on Education says “it does not go nearly far enough.” Double Pell already has the support of the Biden administration and widespread, bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.
