CALL TO ACTION FROM THE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION OF ST. LOUIS
As Congress advances budget reconciliation, your voice is crucial. The Senate is rushing legislation that would deeply cut Pell Grants – jeopardizing students’ ability to afford college, lowering graduation rates, and limiting economic mobility for low-income families. These cuts will worsen the shortage of skilled workers and threaten the future of education access.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW
Senator Josh Hawley (MO) sits on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which is currently reviewing a reconciliation bill that threatens critical student financial aid.
This bill proposes harmful changes to the Pell Grant program that would:
- Impose an arbitrary national average cap on the cost of attendance, limiting school options for many students.
- Redefine full-time enrollment from 12 to 15 credit hours; and
- Eliminate Pell eligibility for students enrolled less than half-time.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
If passed, an estimated 20% of current Pell recipients, 21,050 students in Missouri alone, would lose access.
At The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, 88% of the students we fund rely on Pell Grants. That’s 479 students whose college goals would be at risk.
In response, The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis has joined more than 170 organizations in signing a national coalition letter urging Congress to fully fund the Pell Grant program and reject harmful cuts. We invite you to read and share this letter in support of the millions of students who rely on Pell Grants to access and complete their college education.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Tell Senator Hawley to protect Pell Grants and oppose provisions in the reconciliation bill that limit eligibility or reduce funding. As a key member of the HELP Committee, he must hear from constituents who care about protecting Pell.
TAKE ACTION NOW
- Email Vijay Menon, the new Legislative Director for Senator Hawley at vijay_menon@hawley.senate.gov using the sample message below.
- Share this blog post from our Executive Director, Faith Sandler.
- Amplify voices of Policy Fellows and their testimonies by sharing videos posted on Foundation social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube).
EMAIL TEMPLATE:
Subject: Protect Pell Grants & Support Missouri Students
Dear [MEMBER OF CONGRESS or STAFFER],
I’m a constituent asking you to protect the Pell Grant program as the Senate considers the reconciliation bill. More than 90,000 Missouri students depend on Pell to afford college or workforce training. The proposed changes to cost of attendance calculations, full-time enrollment definitions, and half-time eligibility will make it harder for students to start, stay in school, and succeed.
Please oppose these changes and support using reconciliation savings to strengthen the Pell Grant program.
Thank you,
[Your Full Name]
For more information, please visit: www.sfstl.org
