PTK Advocacy Center
Scholarship, Leadership, Service & Fellowship
Protect Pell. Protect Futures. Protect Students.
Congress is making decisions that will determine the future of the Pell Grant program. If you believe every hardworking student deserves the opportunity to earn a college degree, now is the time to speak up and write your Senators and Representative today.
Why This Matters
The Pell Grant helps millions of students attend college each year. For many students, the Pell Grant is the difference between earning a college degree and leaving college before it is complete.
Without adequate funding, many students will struggle to stay enrolled, graduate, and prepare for careers that strengthen our communities and economy.
Your Voice Matters
Members of Congress hear from organizations and policy experts every day. What they don't hear often enough are the voices of the students whose lives are directly affected by these decisions. Your story helps Congress understand what no budget document can: what the Pell Grant means to your future.
Why PTK is Speaking Up
Phi Theta Kappa represents more than 220,000 active members and 4.4 million alumni, making it the largest academic honor society in higher education. To better understand how the Pell Grant supports student success, PTK recently surveyed more than 2,600 verified Pell Grant recipients from community colleges across the United States. Their experiences reinforce what educators have long known: Pell Grants are often the difference between completing a college degree and leaving college before it is complete.
How to Take Action
- Not sure what to say? Review the template below and modify it to fit your story - Are you first in your family to attend college? Do you work while attending college? Do you have children or are you a caregiver? All these scenarios matter.
- Prepare your letter. Use the template as a guide, but make it your own. Add personal details about your college journey, your challenges, and why Pell Grant support matters to you or your peers.
- Submit your letter. When you're ready, click the button below to send your message directly to your two Senators and your Representative.
Letter Template
Dear Senator/Representative,
As one of your constituents and a community college student, I am writing to ask you to fully fund the Pell Grant program for Fiscal Year 2027.
Every day, millions of students work hard to earn a college degree while balancing jobs, family responsibilities, military service, or caregiving. For many of us, the Pell Grant is what makes college possible.
Congress recently expanded Pell Grant eligibility so more students could pursue higher education. Now, I ask you to honor that commitment by providing the funding needed to keep the program strong for current and future students.
My story is personal.
Share your story here. For example:
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- How has the Pell Grant helped you attend college?
- What challenges are you balancing while earning your degree?
- What would happen if financial aid were reduced or unavailable?
- What are your educational and career goals?
Community college students are preparing to become nurses, teachers, engineers, technicians, first responders, entrepreneurs, and countless other professionals our communities depend on. Investing in Pell Grants is an investment in America's workforce, economy, and future.
Please support full funding for the Pell Grant program in Fiscal Year 2027 so students like me can continue pursuing our education and building stronger communities.
Thank you for your service and for considering my request.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here
One Letter Can Make a Difference
Members of Congress make better decisions when they hear directly from the people affected by those decisions. Take five minutes today to tell your story.