Veasey Applauds Department of Education’s Selection of DFW College For Second-Chance Pell Grant Pilot

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement in response to the Department of Education’s recent selection of Mountain View College as one of the sixty-seven test sites for the Second Chance Pell Pilot program, a nationwide trial to make Pell Grants available for inmates pursuing higher education:

“Expanding access to quality education remains one of the best ways to empower Americans everywhere with the skills they need to find a good job and to provide for their families. For incarcerated Americans preparing to rejoin their communities, the inability to access financial aid is another obstacle on their already challenging journey to live a better life once they are released.

That is why I applaud the Department of Education for launching the Second Chance Pell Pilot Program in Dallas and in the 33^rd Congressional District. As part of my annual job fair, I proudly offer a free second-chance-for-employment workshop to provide tailored advice to returning inmates who face additional hurdles to finding steady employment. I have always stated that education is the key solution to many of our nation’s problems and removing the financial barriers for inmates pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree deserves praise.

We must continue to increase investments in education, both inside and outside of prison, to prevent individuals from entering the criminal justice system and to prevent recidivism. The Department of Education’s partnership with Mountain View College demonstrates a major step in achieving this goal.”

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For more information about the Department of Education’s Second Chance Pell Pilot Program, please click here.