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Congress passes higher education bill to increase financial aid
Casey Jay
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: News
Congress passed a bill on Sept. 7 that, if signed by the president, will increase financial aid for college students by roughly $20 billion over the next five years, through both increases in Pell Grant awards and reforms in student loan debt.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act would increase the maximum Pell Grant award by $490 for the next two school years, by $690 for the following two years and finally would reach an increase of $1,090 for all following years, according to a news release from the federation of U.S. Public Interest Research Groups.
Luke Swarthout, higher education advocate for the federation, said the bill also provides for lowering student loan debt by trimming subsidies to private banks, which will not cost taxpayers anything.
"This bill is a significant achievement of the new Democratic majority in Congress and it could benefit thousands of SJSU students," said SJSU political science Professor Terry Christensen in an e-mail.
Coleeta McElroy, the assistant director of the financial aid and scholarship office at SJSU, said that out of around 30,000 students enrolled at SJSU last year, more than 6,000 received some amount of Pell Grant aid, and more than 7,200 paid for tuition with a Stafford student loan.
Christensen said that this bill is a big improvement for college students, but that more help is needed and hopefully Congress will go further next year.
For some students, news about this recent legislation came as a welcome surprise.
"This is the first I've heard of it," said Bichngan Nguyen, a junior occupational therapy major receiving Pell Grant aid. "I think it's great, because even though we get money, it's really not a lot."
"It's awesome," said Kim Pham, a senior psychology major. "I knew tuition went up, but not financial aid. I'm waiting to find out if I qualify, but I should, so this is really good."
California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein both strongly supported the College Cost Reduction Act and have worked to improve college accessibility and affordability for students and families in California.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act would increase the maximum Pell Grant award by $490 for the next two school years, by $690 for the following two years and finally would reach an increase of $1,090 for all following years, according to a news release from the federation of U.S. Public Interest Research Groups.
Luke Swarthout, higher education advocate for the federation, said the bill also provides for lowering student loan debt by trimming subsidies to private banks, which will not cost taxpayers anything.
"This bill is a significant achievement of the new Democratic majority in Congress and it could benefit thousands of SJSU students," said SJSU political science Professor Terry Christensen in an e-mail.
Coleeta McElroy, the assistant director of the financial aid and scholarship office at SJSU, said that out of around 30,000 students enrolled at SJSU last year, more than 6,000 received some amount of Pell Grant aid, and more than 7,200 paid for tuition with a Stafford student loan.
Christensen said that this bill is a big improvement for college students, but that more help is needed and hopefully Congress will go further next year.
For some students, news about this recent legislation came as a welcome surprise.
"This is the first I've heard of it," said Bichngan Nguyen, a junior occupational therapy major receiving Pell Grant aid. "I think it's great, because even though we get money, it's really not a lot."
"It's awesome," said Kim Pham, a senior psychology major. "I knew tuition went up, but not financial aid. I'm waiting to find out if I qualify, but I should, so this is really good."
California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein both strongly supported the College Cost Reduction Act and have worked to improve college accessibility and affordability for students and families in California.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 6
Garret
posted 9/20/07 @ 8:24 AM PST
It's sad that a bill like this doesn't help all students. As a matter of fact, it discriminates agains some students. Think about it, some of us will have to pay off our student loans after graduation AND be taxed on our new income to pay for those who don't/didn't have to pay (full) tuition. (Continued…)
mortgage calculator
posted 5/06/08 @ 8:52 AM PST
This next week will give us a great look into how well or how poorly the US tech sector is doing. Apple, Microsoft and Yahoo are set to release earnings. (Continued…)
Drug Treatment
posted 1/21/09 @ 7:40 AM PST
Even if it wen up a little, it's still not enough. I remember my tuition and it was a lot back then. It's even more now!
Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
posted 3/10/09 @ 6:22 PM PST
Speaking of the U.S. Congress:
The U.S. Congress does not like George W. Bush--Bush committed too many crimes.
George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog). (Continued…)
blog writer
posted 7/07/09 @ 2:27 AM PST
Hope this bill reduce education cost for regular student and will increase possibility to take more student each year---------------------payday loans guaranteed no fax
blog85475
blog writer
posted 7/07/09 @ 2:30 AM PST
hope this bill will reduce education cost for student-------------payday loans guaranteed no fax
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