President Bush is proposing an increase in federal Pell Grants, acknowledging that more students are taking out loans and working at several jobs.

With Iowa State’s in-state tuition and expenses estimated at $16,720 a year, the maximum Pell Grant of $4,050 can cause students to spend less time at school and more time at work.

During the next five years, the president said he hopes to raise the maximum award available by $500. This would happen at a rate of $100 per year for the next five years.

For the 2003-04 school year, 4,800 ISU undergraduate students received a Pell Grant. Although the amounts ranged, the average amount of the grant was $2,449, said Roberta Johnson, associate director of student financial aid.

A Pell Grant is money given to an undergraduate student based on financial need that does not have to be repaid.

To be eligible for a Pell Grant, a student must show financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which should be turned in by March 1 for priority consideration.

During his 2000 campaign, Bush promised to raise the maximum award to $5,100, but there has been no change in the past three years.

“I think anytime we can get additional funds in the programs is great,” Johnson said. “Any amount benefits — I just wish it was more.”

Of the 22 years Johnson has worked in the Office of Financial Aid, the $4,050 maximum amount is the highest she has seen.

Even if the proposed change makes more students eligible, it still would not affect all students. One such student is Mike Goslinga, senior in architecture. It was determined that he was ineligible for a Pell Grant for the 2004-05 school year.

— The Associated Press contributed to this article.