Earlier this week President Obama unveiled his budget proposal for fiscal 2011. While much of the focus has been on a freeze in discretionary government spending, Pell grants would see an increase and become an entitlement program. (Read this Inside Higher Ed piece report for further explanation how the budget proposal impacts Pell.)

We have previously explained the importance of Pell to AIKCU students. Historically, about 40 percent of undergraduates across the sector are Pell-eligible. More than 92,000 Kentucky students received over $271 million in Pell grants in 2008-09. This week’s graph illustrates the importance of Pell to students in all sectors of Kentucky postsecondary education - including private nonprofit, public (2 and 4-year), and for-profit institutions.