Presidential Documents

37977 

Federal Register 

Vol. 87, No. 122 

Monday, June 27, 2022 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 10419 of June 22, 2022 

50th Anniversary of the Federal Pell Grant Program 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

For 50 years, the Federal Pell Grant program has been the cornerstone 

of our Nation’s efforts to create a financial pathway for tens of millions 

of low- and middle-income students to attend college. Established by the 

Congress in 1972 and named after former United States Senator from Rhode 

Island Claiborne Pell, a champion of higher education with whom I served 

in the United States Senate, Pell Grants are awarded to students based 

exclusively on their financial need. Since the program’s creation, Pell Grants 

have helped more than 80 million students attend college and pursue their 

dreams. 

Today, Pell Grants form the foundation of many students’ financial assistance 

packages—especially for students of color. As the single largest source of 

grants for postsecondary education, Pell Grants were awarded to more than 

one-third of undergraduate students last academic year. 

My Administration is committed to ensuring that higher education is equitable, accessible, and affordable for every student across the country. That 

is why, earlier this year, I signed a bill that includes the largest Pell Grant 

increase in over a decade. My Fiscal Year 2023 Budget calls for another 

historic increase in Pell Grants for academic year 2023–2024 and would 

double the maximum Pell Grants provided by 2029. Together, these investments will make it possible for more students from all backgrounds to 

pursue a postsecondary education that prepares them for quality employment 

and helps our Nation compete in the 21st century. 

My Administration has also significantly expanded the Second Chance Pell 

Initiative, which enables students who are incarcerated to receive this critical 

grant aid so they can participate in postsecondary education programs, supporting their success and helping them make greater contributions to society 

upon their release. First established in 2015 by the Obama-Biden Administration, the Initiative has expanded under my Administration to 73 additional 

schools, providing access to education to thousands of additional students, 

reducing recidivism rates, and improving public safety. This will help the 

Department of Education prepare for the full expansion of Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated students in July 2023. 

On this 50th anniversary, our Nation pays tribute to the importance of 

Federal Pell Grants and the opportunities they afford millions of students 

across our Nation. Today, let us recommit to expanding access to quality 

education so that all of our citizens are empowered to achieve their professional goals and contribute to the success and prosperity of America. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 23, 2022, 

as the 50th Anniversary of the Federal Pell Grant Program. I call upon 

all Americans to observe this milestone and to recognize the significant 

contribution Pell Grants have made to strengthen our Nation’s prosperity 

by making a college education more available to all of our children. 


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37978 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 122 / Monday, June 27, 2022 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second 

day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of 

the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 

forty-sixth. 

[FR Doc. 2022–13785 

Filed 6–24–22; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3395–F2–P 


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