On March 9, 2011, the Senate voted 56 to 44 yesterday to defeat H.R. 1, a seven-month fiscal year (FY) 2011 spending bill passed by the House on Feb. 19. H.R. 1 would have cut 2011-12 Pell Grant awards by $845 -- more than 15 percent -- and would have eliminated funding for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The Senate also voted 58 to 42 to defeat a Democratic alternative FY2011 spending bill that would have trimmed an additional $6.5 billion from current spending levels, but would not have cut funding for Pell or FSEOG.

The vote on H.R. 1 marks a brief victory in the battle for FY2011 Pell funding, but 2011-12 Pell Grant awards remain in limbo because Republicans and Democrats can't agree on federal spending levels for the remainder of FY2011, which ends Sept. 30 (sourced from NASFAA, 3/10/11). The threat against the Pell grant marks further financial aid reductions from the federal government (see our previous petition to save ACG/SMART awards at http://www.bit.ly/acgsmart and state-aid (http://www.hesc.com).

Pell recipients meet national poverty guidelines and are in dire need of retaining their financial support to continue studying on a post-secondary level. If you receive Pell, you know how integral this grant is to continuing your education, and those who received ACG and SMART in the past feel the added pressure of rising tuition costs with less aid. Even if you are not a recipient of federal aid, loss of such funding may prevent a friend, peer, relative, or acquaintance from pursuing and completing their bachelor’s degree, and this is why we would appreciate your help in supporting our cause.

Manhattan College advocates for its students and believes that these funds are beneficial, necessary, and that reductions will only hinder students nationwide from reaching their potential. Help us by signing this petition and pass it along to your family and friends.