Charleston Leader

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), today released a statement on the Senate’s passage of a formula fix to the FAFSA Simplification Act, legislation that intends to make financial aid more accessible for students by streamlining the process. The technical correction, which was related to aid calculations, was included in the Continuing Resolution that was passed by the Senate last week. The correction is necessary to reverse actions the U.S. Department of Education announced last week that could jeopardize future Pell Grant awards for students. Additionally, the correction aligns the law with congressional intent, does not create any further delays to FAFSA processing, and reduces the prospect for excessive shortfalls in the Pell Grant program.

Senator Capito expressed her satisfaction with the fix, stating, "I was proud to help author a fix to the FAFSA Simplification Act, which will protect the integrity of the Pell Grant program in the future for the families who depend on it the most." She also acknowledged the challenges faced in the implementation process, saying, "The Department of Education continues to falter in the implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act, but I am hopeful that this fix will sustain and shore up the Pell Grant program for the future."

In her role as the top Republican on the Labor-H Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Capito pledged to continue her efforts to support students and families in accessing essential financial aid through the Pell Grant program. She emphasized, "I will continue to work to ensure that students and families can access crucial financial aid through the Pell Grant program as they choose the postsecondary education that best meets their needs."

The passage of the formula fix represents a step towards safeguarding the Pell Grant program and ensuring that students can receive the financial assistance they need to pursue their educational goals.