Marist Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Support Doubling the Pell Grant
A new national survey by the Marist Poll shows overwhelming public support for doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and found that more than six-in-ten Americans say college leads to a better job and an improved position in life.
The national survey of 1,257 adults (including 1,135 registered voters) was conducted by the Marist Poll as part of a presentation to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities during its 2023 Annual Meeting and Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.
Nationally, 74% of Americans support doubling the Pell Grant and less than one quarter (24%) oppose such an increase. These data are consistent with findings from a national poll NAICU conducted in November 2021, which showed that 75% of Americans support doubling the Pell Grant.
“The Pell Grant program has helped over 80 million students during its first 50 years,” said NAICU President Barbara K. Mistick. “This is a program whose support from policymakers has historically transcended political ideology. Today, we see that Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Americans from all backgrounds across the country want to see this critical student aid funding program significantly expanded.”
The proposal enjoys widespread support across party lines, income and regional demographics, and races.
Strongly Support/Support Doubling Pell
| National Adults | 74% | Household Income | ||
| Republican | 57 | <$50,000 | 77% | |
| Democrat | 89 | $50,000-$99,000 | 73 | |
| Independent | 71 | $100,000 or > | 73 | |
| Region | Race/Ethnicity | |||
| Northeast | 71% | Black | 89% | |
| Midwest | 71 | Latino | 74 | |
| South | 75 | White | 72 | |
| West | 77 |
College is animportant way to get a better job and improve your position in life
| National Adults | 65% |
| Republican | 57 |
| Democrat | 78 |
| Independent | 62 |
“Americans understand the value and life-long impact of a higher education,” said Mistick. “The key is to ensure that any student who wishes to attend a college or university – two-year or four-year – can access and afford it. Doubling the Pell Grant would expand eligibility and increase affordability for low-income students across the country. The time has come to double the Pell Grant maximum.”
The findings are from a survey of 1,257 adults conducted January 23rd through January 26th, 2023, by the Marist Poll as part of a presentation for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) 2023 Annual Meeting & Advocacy Day. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through a multi-mode design: respondents were contacted by live interviewers, by text, or online. Survey questions were available in English or Spanish. Results are statistically significant within ±3.6 percentage points. The error margin was adjusted for sample weights and increases for cross-tabulations.