Never before has the price of attending college been higher. Yet Congress wants to dramatically cut financial aid programs. These proposals would be disastrous for both students and universities. They should not be passed.
Higher education has never been more important. Today society encourages all students to go to college, and a degree is more or less a prerequisite for landing a job capable of supporting a family.
The cost of higher education is already rising more than inflation every year. Financial aid gives many students the opportunity to go to the college of their choice. Congress may soon be taking that chance away.
Currently there are two pieces of legislation before Congress that could dramatically affect students at Georgetown and across the country, according to a Georgetown University Students Association press release. The first is a modified version of the Higher Education Act which, in an attempt to reduce deficits, will result in a higher price tag for students. Among the changes would be higher loan fees, repeal of certain benefits and a boost in the cost of loan consolidation.
The second threat comes from a proposed $9 billion cut in student aid programs in order to trim the federal budget. These cuts are estimated to raise average student costs by several thousand dollars annually. These cuts are part of a “budget reconciliation” plan aimed at reducing the federal deficit.
The United States Student Association held a rally last week at George Washington University to protest these proposals. According to a USSA press release, Congress asked the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to cut almost $13 billion from student loan and pension programs through budget reconciliation. The USSA estimates these reduction would cost every university student in the country nearly six thousand dollars.
GUSA and the University administration have been organizing opposition to these proposed cuts. GUSA has been working with the USSA to voice their concerns, and the University has been lobbying Congress to reconsider the cuts. GUSA is also sponsoring a campaign for students to call their representatives in Congress this week.
Both GUSA and the University should be applauded for their efforts. All students, whether they use financial aid or not, should consider how important higher education is and let their Congressman and Senators know how they feel. If they stand idly by, they will pay dearly.
