Fresno City College students could see the expansion of financial aid if Congress passes a proposed education bill that President Obama says would revitalize community colleges nationwide.
The college’s president, Dr. Cynthia Azari, agreed that the increase in Pell grants and other aid would boost education.
“Pell grants [make] college affordable for many more students on campus,” Dr. Azari said.
On Jan. 27, President Obama delivered his State of the Union Address. Within his two-hour speech, Obama offered insights about his proposals for community college aid.
“Still, in this economy, a high school diploma no longer guarantees a good job,” Obama said in the speech. “That’s why I urge the Senate to follow the House and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges.
The President’s budget proposal, according to the Department of Education, includes offering increased Pell grants, expansion of financial aid, and stronger income-based repayment plan.
The proposed bill could offer relief to students who are facing challenges trying to pay for college, according to the Department of Education. In many cases, the Department of Education said, Pell grants have helped millions of Americans afford higher education. The bill proposes to make Pell Grant funding mandatory so that funding is available every year.
According to the Department of Education, “The Recovery Act and 2009 appropriation bill increased the maximum Pell grant by more than $600 for a total reward of $5,350. The maximum reward will now increase to $5,550 in 2010.”
Along with increased Pell grants, the bill also would support an expansion of other kinds of financial aid.
“More than half of the students on the Fresno City College campus are receiving financial aid,” Dr. Azari said. Accessible student lending would eliminate some stress on many students who are finding means to afford college.
“Most of our students, like me, are first-generation college students, meaning their parents didn’t go to college,” Azari said. “Having an easier process to receive financial aid can be a great benefit.”
Associated Student Government President Sergey Saluschev agrees with the financial improvements that are taking place at community colleges.
Saluschev said, “I think it is wonderful that community colleges are finally being recognized at an international level and that administration is making education a big priority.”
Azari said she would have loved to have more financial support in her own education. “If college aid would have been more accessible for me, I would have loved it,” she said. “Unfortunately, I had to take out student loans that I later paid back.”
In addition to expanded Pell Grants and a boost to the student aid system, these investments include a strengthened income-based repayment plan. According to the Department of Education, “The bill proposes that the administration will strengthen income-based repayment plans for student loans by reducing monthly payments and shortening the repayment period.”
Obama said in his speech, “When students graduate, they will be required to pay only 10 percent of their income in student loans, and all of their debt will be forgiven after 20 years – and forgiven after 10 years if they choose a career in public service, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they chose to go to college.”
Azari said, “I applaud the administration for making an effort to provide and increase access for students and higher education. I encourage the passing of this bill.”
