The nation's imprisoned population are again eligible for federal need-based college grants for low-income undergraduates which is a real game changer for inmates, the president of a New York-based nonprofit justice advocacy group said in a news release.
As of the first of this month, prisoners are again eligible for Pell Grants for the first time since the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 banned prisoners from accessing the federal student aid program, according to a news release issued by the Vera Institute of Justice. Pell Grant eligibility will open doors for prisoners, Institute President Nick Turner said in the news release.
"The reinstatement of Pell Grant eligibility means more people in prison will be able to afford college, more colleges will be able to launch programs in prison, and incarcerated students will have access to a greater variety of postsecondary degrees and credentials in the years ahead," Turner said. "While significant barriers to accessing college behind bars remain, this policy change brings us one step closer to making prisons places where people can learn, grow, and develop the skills they need to thrive when they return home.”
Vera Institute of Justice is based in Brooklyn, New York.
Reinstatement of Pell Grant eligibility is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of people in prison, according to the Vera Institute news release. It will make college more affordable, facilitate the establishment of new college programs within correctional facilities, and provide incarcerated students with a broader range of postsecondary degrees and credentials in the years to come. This policy change represents a significant step forward in the quest to transform prisons into environments that foster learning, growth, and the acquisition of skills needed for successful reintegration into society.
The passage of the FAFSA Simplification Act in December 2020 solidified the restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for all incarcerated individuals, regardless of their conviction type or sentence length. The U.S. Department of Education has subsequently outlined regulations guiding colleges in creating prison education programs that qualify for Pell Grant funding. Corrections departments, in consultation with key stakeholders, will assume the responsibility of evaluating the quality of these programs. College accreditors and the U.S. Department of Education will provide oversight, according to information published on the Federal Register in October.
Research conducted by the Vera Institute indicates that access to postsecondary education in prison has transformative effects. It instills hope for the future, enhances employment prospects and earning potential upon release and reduces the chances of recidivism by an impressive 48 percent. Furthermore, expanding postsecondary education opportunities for incarcerated individuals promotes societal benefits, such as cost savings for taxpayers and the advancement of racial equity.
"If we can reach a point where prisons offer high-quality, equitable programs that prioritize comprehensive support systems for students, we will be setting people and families harmed by incarceration up for success and fostering safer communities," said Terrell Blount, executive director of the Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network.
The demand for postsecondary education within correctional facilities is evident, as demonstrated by the long waitlists for most college programs. Since 2016, over 40,000 incarcerated students have enrolled in Second Chance Pell colleges, and nearly 12,000 have obtained postsecondary credentials. With the reinstatement of Pell Grants, it is estimated that more than 760,000 individuals in prison will become eligible for this financial aid. However, it will take time for incarcerated individuals to secure Pell Grants and enroll in college, as prisons must establish approved education programs and college administrators must assist incarcerated students in completing the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA).
This historic moment has been hailed as a nationwide effort to provide educational opportunities to incarcerated individuals, enabling them to pursue degrees, credentials and skills that will pave the way for brighter futures. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona acknowledged the significance of this development, emphasizing its potential to positively impact the lives of over "760,000 individuals who are currently incarcerated pursue degrees, credentials, and skills that set them up for success and lead to brighter futures."
