As I wrote this week, the Pell Grant Program is on the chopping block as part of the federal budget negotiations.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan emphasized the program's importance during a Senate hearing Wednesday.

Duncan listed the areas in which he wants to "boost investments in education in order to secure America's future." First on the list? Pell grants. Specifically, "closing the Pell shortfall both through efficiencies and more resources."

He continued: