WASHINGTON, Miss.- U.S. Senator Thad Cochran released a statement that praised the approval of legislation that would fund year-round Pell Grants, while making improvements in health and education, that will benefit Mississippi.
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved FY2017 Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education Appropriations Bill on Thursday. Around 90,000 Mississippi students who rely on Pell Grants to further their education could benefit from the bill.
Currently, full-time and part-time students use most of their Pell Grant awards after only two semesters. That causes summer studies to be difficult to afford and can slow the process of obtaining an undergraduate degree. This bill would provide sufficient funding to support an additional award of around $1,650 during the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
Statistics say that 50-70 percent enrolled in two and four year post-secondary schools receive Pell Grants.
Along with Pell Grants, the legislation also looks at programs like Job Corps. Cochran included verbiage in the bill that would urge the U.S. Department of Labor to move forward quickly with the reconstruction of the Gulfport Job Corps Center. It was damaged during Hurricane Katrina.
The bill was approved by a 29 to 1 vote which allows it to be considered by the Senate.
