Students and student leaders from eight campuses joined the United States Student Association at a press conference Wednesday to voice their opposition to Congressional legislation that will dramatically reduce financial aid.
The new laws propose to cut seven to 11 billion dollars from student loan programs, effective next school year.
Students from Georgetown University, George Washington University, Howard University and other local schools met at GWU’s Marvin Center yesterday to express their frustration and mobilize their peers.
“This issue is one of great importance to our generation. If we, as students, don’t take it on, who will?” Georgetown University Student Association President Pravin Rajan (SFS ‘07) said.
Despite Rajan’s optimism, no Georgetown students were in attendance except for those representing GUSA. The other schools had similarly small turnouts.
Rajan and other GUSA representatives used the opportunity to exchange ideas and information about the aid crisis with the D.C. student community. “I believe the moment is right for us to forge an alliance between D.C. universities to address issues,” Rajan said.
Wednesday’s conference was led by USSA President Eddy Morales. USSA is the oldest student organization in the nation, advocating for students and enabling them to participate in the political process.
In his speech, Morales expressed concern about what the new legislation will do to financial aid.
“Our federal government has set a plan into motion to drastically decrease aid for students at a time when students need more aid than ever to achieve their higher education goals,” Morales said.
In April, Congress requested that the House Committee on Education and the Workforce cut almost 13 billion dollars from student loan and pension programs in a process called budget reconciliation, resulting in an estimated cost to each student of nearly six thousand dollars, according to a USSA press release.
According to Assistant to the President Scott Fleming, Georgetown students will not be alone in the battle for government funding. Though administrators have not yet addressed the newest concern about cuts to student loans under budget reconciliation, President John DeGioia sent a letter on August 31 to members of Congress with connections to Georgetown University and outlined a number of concerns on the affordability of higher education and financial aid, Fleming said.
“I urge you and your colleagues to reaffirm the Congress’s commitment to federal student aid programs, rather than impose new administrative burdens, ” DeGioia said in the letter. “These programs are critically important.”
According to University spokesperson Julia Bataille, more than 55 percent of the undergraduate students at Georgetown receive some form of financial assistance.
On September 20, GUSA will sponsor a call-in event to encourage students to contact their congressmen to oppose these changes.
“I will already be 60,000 in debt at the end of college; I don’t need the government to make me pay any more,” Heather O’Brien (CAS ‘07) said.
