Liese Schneider

Desperately Seeking Pell Grants

College students are being left behind by the millions. In fact, no-strings-attached-aid (read: grants) for aspiring college grads have been on the decline for the last 20 years. So what's new?

While leaving the Patriot Act vote until after the turkey malaise, the House squeezed in a vote last Friday on budget cuts that shortchange 5 million students across the country, including almost half a million here in New York who are unable swing the rising tuition costs. The $14.3 million dollars of proposed cuts in federal student financial aid is especially troublesome, as it is coupled with another vote to freeze the ever-important Pell Grants for the fourth year in a row.

What's the outcome for students? $5,800 in additional debt for the average student borrower.

Over jeers on the floor of Congress during the last throes before recess, Democrats mounted as much of a defense as possible, pulling over 14 moderate Republicans into a 217-215 vote.

Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) got it right , "This budget bill should really be called the far more accurate (not to mention hilarious) 'Moral Disaster of Monumental Proportions Reconciliation Act.'" When Congress returns after recess, the two chambers will determine just how heavy the burden will be on their college-bound consitutients.

So, give thanks this holiday season, as next Thanksgiving you might be stuck in your dorm room ordering chinese.

Posted at 6:07 AM, Nov 22, 2005 in Economy | Education | Fiscal Responsibility | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (1)