Authors

Erin L. Castro, University of UtahFollow
Cydney Y. Caradonna, University of UtahFollow
Mary R. Gould, Sunshine Lady FoundationFollow

“I Don’t Even Know What That Is”: Deprivation, Censorship, and Responsibility in Administering the Pell Grant in Prison

Short Title

Responsibility in Administering the Pell Grant in Prison

Abstract

The violence of incarceration creates greater responsibility for higher education administrators in supporting students who are in prison. Using focus group data with incarcerated students and formerly incarcerated alumni who participated in or are actively participating in Second Chance Pell, we explore their perceptions and understandings of the Pell Grant and eligibility for the Pell Grant, including lifetime eligibility used limits. Through a lens of Witnessing, we argue that deprivation and censorship of information negatively influence students’ access to accurate and timely information about federal student aid and their ability to fully participate in the process. Accordingly, college and university staff have a fiduciary duty to incarcerated applicants and students who are subjected to the information deprivation and censorship that characterizes imprisonment in the U.S.

Recommended Citation

Castro, Erin L.; Caradonna, Cydney Y.; and Gould, Mary R. (2024) "“I Don’t Even Know What That Is”: Deprivation, Censorship, and Responsibility in Administering the Pell Grant in Prison," Journal of Student Financial Aid: Vol. 53 : Iss. 1 , Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55504/0884-9153.1841
Available at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jsfa/vol53/iss1/1