Student Aid Commission Supports Proposal to Expand Pell Grant Eligibility to Students with DACA Status

Post

As part of the proposed 2021-22 federal budget, the Biden administration proposed significant changes to the Federal Pell Grant program, including expansion of Pell Grant eligibility to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. In a letter sent to the California Congressional delegation today, the Commission is joined by a diverse coalition of over twenty leading organizations from across California in higher education, policy advocacy, and civil rights in sharing support for President Biden’s proposal to include DACA students in the Pell Grant program.   

The Commission is proud to serve all eligible California resident students regardless of their documentation status. The proposed expansion of Pell Grant eligibility is a crucial step the federal government can take that will reinforce policies that California has pioneered to establish in-state tuition rates and access to state financial aid for undocumented and DACA students. 

Please click here to read the letter issued by the Commission and partners in support of President Biden’s proposal. Pell for DACA Coalition Letter