Why We Vote

It seems like only yesterday that the maximum Pell Grant was stuck on $4050. With tuition increasing at a rate of 5-7% per year at most colleges, lower income students were falling further and further behind in their ability to afford a college education. From the 2003-2004 through the 2006-2007 award years there was no increase in the maximum Pell grant. In the last two years, the maximum award has increased to $4731. As I write these words, Congress is trying to hammer out a compromise on the House and Senate versions of the economic stimulus package put forth by President Obama. While there are details to be decided on in the bill, what is certain is that the maximum Pell will be increasing by $500.

At CCSJ one third of our students in Traditional programs receive the maximum Pell award and over half receive at least some Pell funds. Congress has also created the ACG and SMART grants in the last few years. These awards are designed to provide funds to low income students who take a rigorous curriculum at the high school level and for those who major in Math or Science related fields in the final two years of college. Also benefiting students is an annual decrease in subsidized loan interest rates that was mandated by Congress. The interest rate will decrease from 6.8% in 2007-2008 to 3.4% in 2011-2012. All of these changes reflect a growing awareness that we need a national commitment to helping students pursue a college education if we are to remain competitive as a nation.

It doesn't surprise me that recent polls show a growing awareness of the political arena among the U.S. college student population. With so much at stake, it is important that prospective and current students are aware that their votes count.