Over 300 Kan. inmates enroll in college classes with Pell grants

Gov. Laura Kelly announced last year that seven Kansas colleges had been awarded over $2.2 million in Pell funding for incarcerated residents

By Sarah Motter
WIBW

TOPEKA, Kan. — Over 300 Kansas inmates have enrolled in college classes for the Fall 2021 semester through the Kansas Department of Education.

According to KDOC, enrollment has increased by 129 inmates over the last academic year. The increase in part is due to the Second Chance Pell grants. Governor Laura Kelly announced in the fall of 2020 that seven Kansas colleges had been awarded over $2.2 million in Pell funding for incarcerated residents.

According to the Department, another four Kansas colleges are expected to apply in 2022 for the Pell status. In July 2023, a ban that was put in place in 1994 under the Violent Crimes Control and Law Enforcement Act that was put on pell grants for those in jail will be lifted, which will lead to more opportunities for inmates to enroll.

FULL STORY: Over 300 Kansas inmates enroll in college classes through KDOC