Congress approves Pell Grant limit increase by 2012
Feb. 12, 2008
Congress approves Pell Grant limit increase by 2012
Baylor Lariat
By Sommer Ingram | Baylor Lariat reporter
As the costs of higher-level education continue to rise across the country, Congress continues its efforts to make education more affordable for students and their families. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Higher Education Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes the Higher Education Act through fiscal year 2012, increasing the maximum Pell Grant per year to $9,000.
Editorial: Where's shared sacrifice?
February 27, 2006
Editorial: Where's shared sacrifice?
Waco Tribune Herald
By Editorial Staff | Waco Tribune Herald
We doubt a single college student exists who, when appraised of the deep budgetary hole this nation has dug for itself, wouldn't say, “I'll do my share to help get us out.”
Well, college students are doing more than their share.
Meanwhile, a lot of Americans are coasting.
Congressman Chet Edwards has brought rightful attention to what's being called the “student tax” - $11.9 billion in cuts from federal student assistance recently signed by President Bush.
Particularly in the form of higher interest rates for subsidized student loans, it could cost an individual student hundreds of additional dollars.
Meanwhile, as Edwards points out, if Congress stays the course in extending Bush's tax cuts, someone making $1 million a year in dividends would be getting a $220,000 annual tax break.
Edwards urges reversal of cuts to financial aid
February 24, 2006
Edwards urges reversal of cuts to financial aid
AP via Bryan-College Station Eagle
By ANGELA K. BROWN | Associated Press
WACO - Pepper Jones, a single mother of four children, says she couldn't go to college without about $14,000 in student loans and other grants.
But with Congress' recent passage of a bill that cuts nearly $12 billion in financial aid programs, Jones worries whether she'll be able to afford her education. She says she might give up her dream of teaching disabled children to pursue a career that pays more money.
"Teachers don't make any money, so if my student loans' interest rates go up, I won't be able to afford to pay them back," said Jones, 26, who attends McLennan Community College in Waco. "I guess I could do something else that I wouldn't like at all."
Local college students fear high interest ...
February 24, 2006
Local college students fear high interest rates, loss of student loans
Waco Tribune Herald
By David Doerr | Tribune-Herald staff writer
McLennan Community College student Pepper Jones is what some consider a prime example of students struggling to put themselves through college. She's also the sort of student who may suffer because of Congress' massive cuts in financial aid.
The mother of four, Jones, 26, says she's at the crossroads of her education, trying to decide if it's worth it to fulfill her dream of becoming a first-grade teacher. She doesn't want to change her major to pursue another career so she can graduate sooner, but she might consider it if she's unable to get federal financial aid to pay for college.
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, used Jones as an example of students who might be hurt after Congress, by the narrowest of margins, cut $11.9 billion from federal college student financial aid over the next five years. It's the “largest reduction in federal student aid in our nation's history,” he said.
Raising The Cost Of Student Loans Unwise
November 6, 2005
Edwards: Raising The Cost Of Student Loans Unwise
Special to the Eagle
Bryan-College Station Eagle
By REP. CHET EDWARDS | Op-Ed
I am deeply disappointed that the U.S. House leadership pushed through the Budget Committee on Thursday partisan legislation that could add $5,000 to $28,000 to the cost of college student loans. This legislation, contained in the 2006 Budget Reconciliation bill, could be on the House floor for a vote as early as this week.
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