Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $17 billion has been earmarked for a nationwide expansion of the Pell Grant program and an additional $200 million will go toward the Federal Work Study program.

Jerry Donna, director of financial aid, said the ARRA funding would benefit students who demonstrate financial need.

“In this respect, the ARRA is a good thing,” Donna said. “This is especially important now, when the state of Illinois is cash-strapped and students may be looking for other ways to fill in the gaps to fund the cost of higher education.”

Donna said the $17.1 billion would cause the maximum Pell Grant to be increased.

A $200 increase to the maximum 2010-11 Federal Pell Grant will raise the amount to $5,550, Donna said.

Students whose 2010-2011 FAFSA results yield an expected family contribution of $4,617 or less and meet the other eligibility requirements for Pell Grants will receive a greater award.

Donna said an increase in funding for the Federal Work study program would affect Eastern students.

“EIU’s allotment of (the federal work study) increased by about 30 percent in 2009-10 due to ARRA and we are anticipating that it will remain at the same increased level for 2010-11,” Donna said. “What this means for EIU students who are eligible for (federal work study), is that the Federal government will provide more funding toward the cost of work-study programs on campus. It gives more students an opportunity to work and earn money for school.”

President Bill Perry encourages students working for multiple reasons.

“It’s important to me that as much of the student work and work study possible be related to students major and contribute to them, not only financially, but also in terms of their knowledge base and professional development,” Perry said.

Perry said when he was a student, he experienced these benefits first hand.

“When I was in college I washed blackboards, cleaned the swimming pool, swept the dorms,” Perry said. “I was a math major, so none of that really related to what I was going to do, but after the first couple years I was able to start doing some help desk and tutoring in the math department-that really helped my development as a teacher, counselor and mentor.”

Donna did express concern about funding for the Pell Grant Program after the ARRA funding has been exhausted.

“What happens after the ARRA funds have run out?” Donna said. “Will there be a new program to pick up the slack or will we return to former levels of funding? The Pell Grant Program has typically not gone ‘backwards.'”

Jason Hardimon can be reached at 581-7942 or jrhardimon2@eiu.edu.