Gillibrand: 30,000 more NYers can now get education aid

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says the number of new students in New York state eligible for Pell Grants in the fall of 2011 will double under legislation signed into law this week.

A provision of the education bill signed along with health care reforms directs $36 billion over the next decade to the grant program, which is targeted toward students from low- and moderate-income families. The money will help fund larger awards for more students.

Gillibrand says the expanded program increases the number of new students statewide that will be eligible for the grants in 2011 from about 33,000 to 67,500.

Gillibrand says Thursday the legislation will create more opportunities for New York students to succeed in the global economy.