(June 24, 2008). The Senate Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee marked up the appropriations bill for the Department of Education today. The campus-based student aid programs were all level funded with the exception of the Perkins Loans. While Perkins Federal Capital Contributions were not funded, Perkins Loan cancellations received an additional $5.673 million to help with the shortfall. TRIO funds were increased by $10 million and GEAR UP was increased by $5 million. Pell Grants were funded at the same level as the President requested for a maximum award of $4,310 which is a $69 increase over FY2008.

It is expected that these levels will prevail when the full Senate Appropriations Committee meets Thursday to complete its work on the legislation.

The House Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee held its markup last week and level funded campus based aid programs and provided increases for Pell grants. The House provided an increase for Pell grants of $169, bringing the maximum award to $4,410. (Another $490 per Pell grant recipient is also available via funding provided by the College Cost Reduction Access Act of 2007.) The full House Appropriations Committee is also scheduled to meet this Thursday to complete its work.

Many expect that the Labor-HHS-Education spending bill will become stalled this year, over the Congressional and Presidential elections as well as various threats from the White House over spending levels.

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