House Approves Measure With $260 Pell-Grant Increase

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a fiscal-2007 funding resolution that calls for a $260 increase in the maximum Pell-Grant award for the 2007-2008 award year. The $463.5-billion continuing appropriations resolution includes funding for the remainder of the fiscal year for federal programs covered by nine appropriations bills on which the previous Congress failed to complete action. A temporary funding measure to keep the government running expires Feb. 15.

The measure would increase the maximum Pell-Grant award to $4,310 from the current $4,050 by increasing Pell-Grant funding by $615.4 million. The increase in the maximum Pell-Grant award would be the first in four years.

USA Funds^® submitted a letter expressing support for the Pell-Grant provision to the chairmen and ranking Republicans of the appropriations and education committees.

The spending bill won approval from the House on a vote of 286 to 140. It now awaits action in the U.S. Senate.