University of California President Mark G. Yudof and UC Student Association President Claudia Magaña have joined forces to advocate for full funding of federal Pell Grants for the 2011 fiscal year.

In the following joint letter sent to the California congressional delegation, they urge lawmakers to keep the maximum Pell Grant award at its current $5,550 amount.

The letter reminds legislators that Pell Grants — the single most important investment the federal government makes in higher education access — are vital to producing the highly skilled and educated work force that will keep our nation at the forefront of innovation.

Members of the California Congressional Delegation

As you finalize congressional appropriations for the remainder of FY 2011, we urge you to support the continued maximum Pell Grant of $5,550.

As president of the ten-campus University of California system, and as president of the University of California Student Association (UCSA), we write on behalf of all the students across the University of California system, and especially the 72,000 undergraduates who rely on Pell awards. These low-income students are facing particularly difficult challenges in California's struggling economy. Together we are demonstrating our combined commitment to ensuring that all students — regardless of their family income — have access to a quality UC education.

In fall 2010, 40 percent of all UC undergraduates were Pell Grant recipients, which is higher than at any comparable research university. While Pell Grants are key to providing financial access to an undergraduate UC education, they are also keeping UC's low-income students in school and ensuring that they graduate. In fact, nearly 80 percent of UC Pell Grant recipients graduate from UC within six years, a rate similar to students with higher incomes.

The federal government is a key partner with California, and the University of California, in expanding access and assuring affordability to higher education. Last year, UC students received a total of $286 million in Pell Grants, $425 million in Cal Grants funded through the state, and $443 million in UC grants (institutional aid) to help finance their education. In addition, all UC students must provide a "self-help" contribution of nearly $10,000, which they generally cover through work and loans. If the Pell Grant aid is reduced, low-income students will be forced to work additional hours, which could affect their academic progress toward completion, or cause them to assume unmanageable debt levels.

We recognize that Congress faces difficult choices in making its final budget decisions. We believe, however, that strong support for our nation's college students, through sustained funding of the Pell Grant Program, is a wise and cost-effective investment that will return increased economic and social dividends for the nation. Tomorrow's leaders in industry, science, health care, education, government, innovation and technology are in college classrooms today.

Sincerely,

Claudia Magaña
President, University of California Student Association

Mark G. Yudof
President, University of California