WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today supported legislation which would increase access to college education grants for Montana students.

“At a time when the pocketbook of the American family is stretched thin, finding ways to make college more affordable can provide a huge boost,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee.  “That’s exactly what the bill that passed the House today would do.”

H.R. 4137 extends the Higher Education Act, which authorizes the federal government’s student aid programs, through 2013.  Specifically, the bill increases Pell grants to $8,000 per student and includes a provision that allows the child of a member of the Armed Forces who died in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, to receive the maximum Pell Grant.

The Federal Pell Grant program is the single largest source of grant aid for postsecondary education attendance funded by the federal government.   More than16,564 students in the Montana University system receive Pell Grants.

“Increasing the maximum grant award will ensure more Montana students have access to a good education,” said Rehberg.  “I’m going to continue to work to make that happen.”