Pell Grants In Prison: A New Effort To Fund Degrees For People Behind Bars

ban on the use of federal money to help people in prison pay for college classes.

But that's about to change. Starting with the 2023-2024 school year, people in prison will be eligible to receive Pell grants in the amount of nearly $7,000 per year. Experts say this change will mean a chance at higher education for hundreds of thousands who are academically eligible.

NPR's Elissa Nadworny reports on what the change means, and tells the story of a man who earned the type of degree that will soon be available to many more people.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

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Kenny Butler graduated as one of the most decorated members of the Pitzer College Class of 2022. Elissa Nadworny/NPR hide caption

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Elissa Nadworny/NPR

Kenny Butler graduated as one of the most decorated members of the Pitzer College Class of 2022.

Elissa Nadworny/NPR