Claiborne Pell

Claiborne Pell was a U.S. senator from Rhode Island, serving from 1961 to 1997. He is best known for creating the Pell Grant program, which provides financial aid to low- and middle-income students to help them pay for college. The grants do not need to be repaid, making higher education more accessible. Named after him, the Pell Grant has helped millions of students pursue higher education and improve their economic opportunities. Pell's work focused on education, social issues, and advocating for vulnerable populations.