On June 23 the University of Oregon joined Members of Congress, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read, higher education associations, and other advocates in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Federal Pell Grant.

At a press conference held on June 23 to commemorate the event, Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read said, “Funding financial aid for students creates opportunities and is really important for the Oregon economy. Pell Grants are the federal government’s main tool for helping lower-income students and families access high education. Unfortunately, the funding levels have not kept up with costs. If I’ve learned anything in my work as Treasurer, it’s that there is no better investment than in the potential of rising young people.”

Nicole Paredes, a 2022 UO graduate, joined Treasurer Read at the press conference, urging congress to double Pell, describing the grants as “a light, a light that’s motivated students to reach for the sky, day-by-day.”

Read more about the press conference here, and watch the event here.

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), a senior member of the U.S. House Education & Labor Committee, recognized the anniversary of the Pell Grant by telling her story of accessing higher education through a combination of grants, loans, and other aid in an Instagram video.

 The President Biden celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Pell Grant by signing a proclamation recognizing June 23, 2022 as the 50th Anniversary of the Pell Grant Program. Read the proclamation here.