Dive Summary:
- A report by the Congressional Budget Office examines the explosive growth of the federal Pell Grant program and explores ideas to deal with the cost.
- The report found that between 2006 and 2011, Pell Grant spending increased by 158%, with an 80% increase in the number of recipients and a 43% increase in the average grant amount.
- The report comes ahead of the next debate of the Higher Education Act, which controls federal student aid.
Dive Insight:
The CBO report does not provide recommendations but does provide analysis of 12 ideas for changing the grant program, including tightening financial and academic eligibility rules. The full report can be read here.