Candidates Differ Widely on College Financial Aid Options for Students

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:16:25 GMT

By Cashae Floyd

Taylor Garlington

On Nov. 6, America will vote for a new president. Many will be new voters, and some will also be students. At Mays, some of these students are concerned about future funding for financial aid. They want to know if their education will still be affordable and will they still be able to get any assistance at all? With the election, students could see scholarships, grants and college budgets possibly cut. President Barack Obama has worked in recent months to give some relief to students by keeping interest rates low on student loans and introducing more income sensitive repayment terms. Obama has also increased funding for the Pell Grant, aimed at low-income families. The number of recipients have increased from 6 million to 9 million students. “I’m typically in favor of democratic [candidates],’’ said Shermaine Jennings, Academy Leader for the Eagle Academy. ``They are more empathetic towards individuals who have ever had struggles in their lives. I’m voting for President Obama because he inspires our generation of young men to do and be the best that they can be.” Jennings also said the president wants to improve education. “He’s also in favor of education reform, and since I’m an educator, I believe that education should be reformed. And that’s what Obama is trying to do,’’ added Jennings. However presidential opponent Mitt Romney has a different take on the issue of student financial aid. Romney thinks too much aid is a problem. Romney has also stated on the campaign trail, as recently as late August, that unlike Obama, he has no intentions to increase free student aid in the form of Pell Grant increases. Romney also said on Aug. 22 in Maine that he had no plans to expand government efforts to help students repay loans and that he wants to create an environment in which graduates can find jobs and repay their own student debt without excessive government assistance. “Romney’s plan for financial aid wouldn’t benefit someone like me,” says senior Carlton Williams. “There will definitely be less government assistance for financial aid and other funding programs if Romney gets into office. [The] top college that I want to go to is the University of Tampa. I’m depending more on a scholarship. It would definitely give me a better chance to pay for college and be successful if Obama stays in office.” Senior Danielle Jones echoes Williams’ sentiments regarding a Romney presidency’s impact on student aid “I think that it’s selfish and not good for the country because only 1 percent of the country is considered wealthy, and it’s wrong for him to try to take away financial help for people who can’t afford it,’’ says Jones. ``Things that we’re able to do will be taken away from us if Romney wins. I want to go to Albany State, the tuition is around 7,000 to go there and I’m depending more on a loan.” “It would help me a lot if Obama remains in office because being a senior, I need financial assistance,’’ added Jones. ``I personally think that he’s not for the people, he’s for himself.” Some teachers also express concern about the future of financial aid under Romney. “Financial aid would be drastically cut. Republicans believe in little federal involvement which is equal to the government not participating,” says Eagle Academy Social Studies teacher Augustus Wood. “Their ideas are to save money and not spend it on the poor people. Most students are depending on student loans. The only reason why they’re scary is because people abuse them.” Students also indicated that recent revelations about comments Romney made privately about nearly half of Americans looking for handouts paint a negative picture of Romney’s commitment to the less fortunate. “I believe since I’m in that 47 percent, that his comments are very disrespectful,’’ says senior Eric Zorn. ``I’m very motivated to get scholarships and receive financial aid before he makes it in office or if he makes it in office because he’s cutting founding for education. If Romney wins then I would have to result to other things that wouldn’t be as bright as my future could be if Obama remains in office.” Social studies teacher Shannon Williams says he understands Romney’s perspective and that aid should be based on a student’s academic record. ``It’s very closely related to affirmative action in that you’re giving kids who haven’t worked hard who might possess a 2.5 or a 2.9 GPA the oppurtunity to attend college on the tax payers’ dime,’’ said Williams. ``As a tax payer, why should I be responsible for funding the education of kids who don’t deserve it based on their grades. [That’s] just like affirmative action that gives jobs based on gender and raace and not always to the best or most qualified.’’

The Summit

Candidates Differ Widely on College Financial Aid Options for Students