Wnited States Senate WASHINGTON, DC 20510 March 17, 2016 ‘The Honorable Roy Blunt ‘The Honorable Patty Murray Chairman Ranking Member Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Human Services, and Education Senate Committee on Appropriations Senate Committee on Appropriations Washington, D.C. 20510 Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Chairman Blunt and Ranking Member Murray: ‘As you develop the fiscal year 2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related ‘Agencies appropriations bill, we write to request that if the surplus in the Pell program is sufficient you utilize the available funds to reinstate year-round Pell this year. All of us have cosponsored bills to establish a year-round Pell grant program. Pell grants provide critical support to students from low- and moderate-income families to pursue higher education. Many students, however, exhaust their annual Pel eligibility after two semesters and are unable to use Pell Grants to pay for summer or additional courses. Students must put their education on hold and wait until the next academic year to continue school. Allowing students to receive Pell grants beyond the typical two semesters would provide students with the opportunity to continue their studies scamilessly and even accelerate their progress toward completion. This has the potential to decrease their time to completion and increase graduation rates. Federal financial aid needs to be more flexible and responsive to the needs of today’s students. Many students wish to attend school year-round and complete their education sooner. It’s vital that we provide assistance that allows for continuous enrollment throughout the entire year. ‘Thank you for considering this request. FES _ Michael F. Bennet Angus 8. fing, Jr. US. Senator U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich Edward J. Markey 5 Mechary USS. Senator U.S. Senatorory A. Booker ULS. Senator