Spring Break
Federal Pell Grant reform would help middle class
The Editorial Board - The Lariat, Baylor U.
Issue date: 3/10/09 Section: Opinion
The grant would be a huge boost to two-year schools. For students at four-year universities, the grant increase may not mean as much, but the return on years of loans at those schools will be much higher.
That is because students will make enough after graduation to pay off those loans. That might not be the case for community college graduates who likely won't make as much as their university counterparts. However, that is where the increase will help most.
Unlike Baylor, where hourly tuition hovers around $1,000 per hour for part-time students and a flat rate of $23,664 per year for full-time students, community colleges are much cheaper. McLennan Community College offers credit classes between $61 and $121 per hour, based on residency.
Many of these students will transfer to Baylor or other universities, which might not have been possible without the Pell Grant. Baylor, like many other schools, offers large scholarships for transfer students, so it's likely that the grant could be the catalyst for an advanced education.
It should be said that this money won't be given without scrutiny. The Pell Grant isn't awarded unless the recipient is already enrolled in college.
However, additional requirements should be added. Performance in the classroom should be addressed to make sure that students are progressing.
While that increase is not enough to pay for a semester of classes at most four-year universities, every little bit helps.
The Pell Grant increase should help many lower-income families make it to college.
Since education is one of the cornerstones of life in the United States, it's only fitting to give everyone the same opportunities.
That is because students will make enough after graduation to pay off those loans. That might not be the case for community college graduates who likely won't make as much as their university counterparts. However, that is where the increase will help most.
Unlike Baylor, where hourly tuition hovers around $1,000 per hour for part-time students and a flat rate of $23,664 per year for full-time students, community colleges are much cheaper. McLennan Community College offers credit classes between $61 and $121 per hour, based on residency.
Many of these students will transfer to Baylor or other universities, which might not have been possible without the Pell Grant. Baylor, like many other schools, offers large scholarships for transfer students, so it's likely that the grant could be the catalyst for an advanced education.
It should be said that this money won't be given without scrutiny. The Pell Grant isn't awarded unless the recipient is already enrolled in college.
However, additional requirements should be added. Performance in the classroom should be addressed to make sure that students are progressing.
While that increase is not enough to pay for a semester of classes at most four-year universities, every little bit helps.
The Pell Grant increase should help many lower-income families make it to college.
Since education is one of the cornerstones of life in the United States, it's only fitting to give everyone the same opportunities.
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