Pell grants: not the same as TANF, WIC, etc...agree or disagree?

Question

I got into an Internet argument on the topic of Pell grants. I tried to explain to the other posters why I accepted a Pell grant, but complain about TANF, WIC, Medicaid, and many other social welfare programs. I would like to get a third opinion on this subject.

My argument is that Pell grants generate real economic returns and tax revenues which pay back far more money than the initial "handout." My argument against other welfare programs is that they are too easily abused, and in practice pay people to NOT seek employment and higher education.

The other people have argued that "it's still welfare!" They consider me a hypocrite for explicitly supporting and taking Pell grants while belittling other welfare programs, and they have ignored my explanation of why Pell grants are different. They have not responded to my point that Pell grants generate more long-term tax revenue, and consider it an "excuse" for me, the "hypocrite" who's getting a Pell grant. They have also taken a philosophical statement I made about how welfare is not something the government should be engaging in and tried to restate it out of a Libertarian philosophical context and present it as my position on the current state of social welfare today.

What do you think? Answer LOGICALLY, not EMOTIONALLY or PHILOSOPHICALLY, and remember it's not about me, it's about my claim that Pell grants are different from other social welfare and why I say they are different.

Answer 1

As a normal everyday tax payer, I would feel better about paying taxes to contribute to pell grants than any welfare program. I view it this way, welfare is a crutch, pell grants are a bridge. Pell grants are investing in the future of our country. It gives the average or under average wage earner a fair chance to prove what they have to contribute to the American know how. Anyone that argues this point is obviously spoiled by an already existing source of funds or just pure greed.  

Answer 2

Hmm, the ones complaining about Pell grants are the ones whose daddy paid their way through school, so that is them being elitists and thinking they are above less wealthy people.

And both I believe are good for those who need it. Pell grants help people get through college and welfare is good for those who need help to survive. And for those claiming that ALL welfare recipients  are lazy, no that is not true. The majority of them are single mothers with small children who would otherwise STARVE. Have some compassion, people.

Answer 3

I can honeslty see where your arguments comes from, I have always thought that pell grants were worth giving out to people, because they help people who don't have the money go to college, to then become something of themselves and give back money from thier taxes taken from thier paychecks, but then i've always disagreed on welfare, because some people, i'm not saying all of them, but some people take welfare as an excuse not to work, so while myself and others out there are working our *** off to pay bills and everything we get taxes taking out of our paycheck to support some people who don't work and don't want to work, and just mooch off the government!

but again i agree that pell grants are worth it, I myself just got one because i don't make enough money to go to college and also pay all my bills, but one day i will be able to pay that off with all my tax money from getting my college education, actually i'm helping right now, because i have a job and taxes come out.