More money may be available for loans

Higher Education Act proposals could increase JMU student aid

As Congress assembles to discuss next year's budget deficit, the George W. Bush administration is working to establish the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The proposals for the HEA are issues regarding student loans and grants, which could have an impact on JMU students.

According to political science professor Phil Bridgmon the purpose of the HEA is to ensure more American students will have the opportunity to attend a college or university. Although there is plenty of money in the federal budget to account for student loans, tuition rates are increasing and students are finding it more difficult to compensate for the differences. Under the administration's proposals, more money will be made readily available for students to loan out from the government.

Bush's proposals for a change in the act is to "reflect his commitment to make college more affordable for students and their families, and to strengthen the financial stability of the student loan programs," according to the American Council on Education Web site, www.acenet.ed/hena/readArticle.cfm?articleID=47.

Limits regarding student loans for first-year college students will be increased, repayment options for student loaning federal money will receive adjustments and more money will be made accessible for minority establishments, according to the U.S. Department of Education Web site, www.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget05/summary/edlite-section2d.html.

The largest source for student aid is the Federal Pell Grant, which primarily focuses on low-income families, according to Bridgmon. Over the past couple years, the Pell Grant has suffered a downfall in funds, making it difficult to aid many students interested in attending higher education institutions. As the budget is being examined, more money will be made available for the Pell Grant for the upcoming 2005 fiscal year, Bridgmon said.

According to Bridgmon, the maximum Pell Grant award, which is about $4,050, won't cover tuition cost for students needing the financial aid.

The United States Department of Education Web site states that more money is being made available for Pell Grants; however, the maximum limit going toward students will remain the same. The increase in monies for the Pell Grant will provide more students with the funds necessary to attend college.

"As an independent student, I believe Bush is on the right track in raising Pell Grant limits," freshman Matt Curtin said. "If the cost of higher education outpaces the increase in financial aid available, fewer students will have the opportunity to attend or return to school, including myself."

The increase in college tuition could force many students to find alternate ways to compensate for this gain. Students may find themselves having to find jobs on or off campus to help pay for the difference, or apply for additional loans, according to Bridgmon.

Graduate student Mike Stanton said, "I think that any investment in education is a good one, and certainly it should be a national priority to help underprivileged kids get the tools necessary to compete in the work force."

Federal Work Study through JMU's financial aid may be another option for students to gain the funds necessary to pay for another tuition increase. The Work Study Program offers positions on and off campus and "America Reads," a program designated for students to tutor elementary school students to help them learn how to read. Close to 300 JMU students engage in work study employment.

"This is a need-based federal program, with eligibility determined after we receive the results from the student's FAFSA," said Linda Miller, JMU's Federal Work Study program coordinator and student employment manager

More information regarding the Work Study Program can be found at JMU's Federal Work Study Web site, www.jmu.edu/workstudy.