Jenna Ashley Robinson of the Pope Center for Higher Education recently testified before a U.S. House subcommittee about college affordability and Pell grants. Her testimony can be found here. An excerpt:

To further reduce costs, we must ensure that students are using Pell grants as intended. Reports indicate that some students obtain Pell grant funds but do not complete their courses. Thus, colleges and universities should place limits on students’ Pell grant money.

In North Carolina, Central Piedmont Community College has implemented several new policies to do that. They include: not disbursing grant money until after 10 percent of the semester has been completed; not disbursing money if students haven’t attended during the first 10 percent of the semester; disbursing money in two parts over the semester to make sure that the students stay around; limiting what can be purchased with financial aid in the bookstore; and a counseling and advising department that tracks academic progress and puts students on probation or suspension.

Because of low graduation rates under the current system, grants should go to students who are prepared for the challenge of college work. Academic requirements for initial Pell eligibility should be tightened.