Maggie Henry '14 urges the U.S. to allow inmates to apply for Pell Grants. 

While disagreement in Congress inches Washington, D.C., closer to a possible government shutdown, the state of future federal funding for research at Cornell looks “tough but not disastrous,” said Robert Buhrman, senior vice provost for research.

At a press conference at Cornell’s Combined Heat and Power Plant on March 21, Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.) criticized House Republicans for proposed reductions to the Pell Grant program, which provides federal financial aid for college students.

In the face of upcoming cuts to the federal Pell Grant system, the University needs to reaffirm its commitment to financial aid for any student that needs it. 

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The impact of the reductions on undergraduates will be minor, but the cuts will likely affect 1,500 to 2,000 Cornell students who are pursing advanced degrees. 

One of the least inspiring aspects of the newly passed Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 is its treatment of Pell Grants, the federal need-based grant program that enables many prospective students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to actually attend college. The first number usually touted by lawmakers looks pretty good: The act adds $40 billion to the program.

In an admirable move, students emerged from the East Hill bubble earlier this month to rally members of Congress to advocate for additional financial aid, specifically in the form of funding for the Pell Grant program. We were glad to see that despite budget cuts across the University, Cornell agreed to sponsor this trip, bringing to the forefront some of the most pressing roadblocks standing in the way of equal access to education in this country.

While the federal government continues marathon economic sessions in Washington over the current economic crisis, there are concerns about future funding for government programs. The Bush administration recently warned Congress that $6 billion more would be needed next year to keep up with demands placed on the Pell Grant program — the largest student aid program of the U.S.

Before the current economic crisis, the Pell Grant program was already weakened by yearly grant increases that did not match the rapidly growing tuition rates across the country.

Now, the possibility of less funding may weaken the program more than ever.