POTSDAM -- Clarkson President Tony Collins is praising the Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik says she introduced in Congress.

The bill would extend Pell grant eligibility to students taking summer classes and increase the maximum Pell award by 50 percent, according to Stefanik.

“As an institution with more than 30 percent of our student body eligible for Pell awards, Clarkson University applauds Congresswoman Stefanik’s introduction of the Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act,” Collins said. “This legislation addresses the needs of contemporary students by giving them more options on when they complete degree requirements and gets them into the workplace faster. By providing year round flexibility in accessing aid, this act allows students to stay on pace to graduate in four years or less and immediately compete for the best jobs.”

Student demographics have changed dramatically in recent decades Stefanik said. Whereas the majority of students used to enroll in a four-year, full-time program fresh out of high school, an increasing number of students – “contemporary students” – are older, have a family, and work full- or part-time jobs. These students are looking to quickly and affordably earn a degree that will help them compete and succeed in the workforce, according to the Republican congresswoman.

“Unfortunately, outdated higher education programs do not meet the needs of contemporary students. For example, while the Pell Grant provides support for more than one-third of all undergraduate students, the program fails to adequately support those who want to complete their studies more quickly by taking additional courses beyond the traditional academic year,” Stefanik said. “Instead, students who receive Pell Grants are bound to a rigid system based on a six-year, two-semester timeline – discouraging many students from pursing higher education altogether.”

Stefanik’s summary of the Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act:

• Provides students the flexibility to draw Pell Grant funds at an accelerated pace in order to pay for additional courses within an award year.

• Encourages students to complete degrees more quickly, leading to less debt and faster entry into the workforce.

• Maintains maximum lifetime Pell Grant award eligible students can receive over the course of their education.

• Assists students in making informed decisions about their academic progress by directing the Secretary of Education to provide an individualized federal financial aid status reports to each student annually.