Congressman Pallone will have two children in college next fall, and one more daughter not far behind. He believes that increasing access to college is an investment in youth and a model for our future economic success. In a district that contains world renowned colleges such as Rutgers and Monmouth Universities, the ability to provide affordable higher education is always on his mind. He is dedicated to providing more Pell Grants for students and has stood behind proposed legislation to keep student loan interest rates low and prohibit predatory student loans.
Representative Pallone voted for the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act which provided $36 billion over 10 years to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant to better keep up with the cost of education. He also supported the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was signed into law by the President in 2009. This initiative greatly increases the funding for AmeriCorps and allows students more options for funding their college years.