ONEONTA _ Changes to Pell Grants were applauded Wednesday as highlights of a federal bill designed to make college more affordable and accessible.
The maximum authorized Pell Grant would increase from $4,310 to $9,000 per student per year, said Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, during a media conference at the State University College at Oneonta. And the grants, previously restricted from use for summer school, could be used year-round.
Under the legislation, more student loans would be more accessible to students needing them, Arcuri said, and the government also will support colleges and universities in their roles as economic engines for areas such as the 24th District. Higher education provides jobs and supports research and development in the private sector, he said.
On Feb. 7, the House passed the College Access and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137), which would reduce tuition costs, simplify student-aid programs and end corrupt practices in the student-loan industry. District 20 Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, joined Arcuri in voting for the bill, which passed, 354 to 58. Arcuri said the bill will go to a House/Senate conference committee.
Kyle Beckley, a SUCO senior and Pell Grant recipient who works in the financial aid office, said the legislation is key to helping students financially and, in turn, spurring the country's competitiveness in the global marketplace through developing an educated work force.
"We need to invest more in education,'' said Beckley, a theater major and 2004 graduate of Milford Central School.
Adam Kokoni, a senior majoring in mass communications and music industry, said the bill also has important measures to help minorities and advance technology.
With public college tuition at $4,350, estimated costs for a year for an undergraduate student are $14,094, according to the SUCO website. SUNY also has colleges in Delhi and Cobleskill.
At private Hartwick College in Oneonta, tuition for 2007-08 is $30,125, and with room, board and other expenses, attendance costs $40,700, the college website said. This fall, of 455 first-year students, 94 percent received merit-based scholarships or need-based grants from institutional, federal or state sources.
"Students are graduating from college with more debt than ever before, and 200,000 students do not go to college every year because they can't afford to," Arcuri said.
The bill has a ``pay as you go'' provision and won't be funded through debt, he said.
In the 24th District, there are 12,681 borrowers attending the region's eight four-year colleges and universities and four two-year institutions, Arcuri said. He cited a recent College Board report that said tuition and fees at four-year public institutions have increased 31 percent, accounting for inflation, during the last five years.
In New York, 243,696 students take out need-based loans each year at public four-year schools, and a typical student accumulates $14,276 of debt.
Bill Goodhue, SUCO director of financial aid, said that debt figure would apply to some SUCO students. About 80 percent of SUCO students receive some form of financial aid, he said, and 60 percent borrowed money to enroll in 2006-07.
``We're always encouraged and support efforts to make education affordable,'' Goodhue said.
However, whether appropriations for Pell Grants keeps pace with legislation remains to be seen, he said.
John Nader, Oneonta mayor and a dean at the State University College of Technology at Delhi, said with Pell Grants available for summer courses, students will be able to earn extra credits to catch up on course work, graduate sooner or further studies.
Donovan, president of the State University College at Oneonta, said Arcuri and his staff sought SUNY's opinion on the bill.
"SUNY applauds the many positive provisions in the legislation and believe that they will assist in making higher education more affordable and accessible for students," Donovan said.
H.R. 4137 reauthorizes the landmark Higher Education Act of 1965, addresses rising college costs and removes other barriers that keep qualified students from pursuing higher education.
"In today's global economy, access to higher education is more important than ever, but year after year middle class families see themselves priced out of higher education and buried in debt," Arcuri said. "The president has already signed into law historic legislation passed by this Congress to cut interest rates on student loans and increase critical Pell Grant awards. Last week, we took another step forward to help middle-class families by addressing serious problems in the student-loan industry and streamlining the federal aid process."
Arcuri said the College Access and Affordability Act, in its present form, also would:
ä Ensure that states maintain higher education funding and provide incentives, such as additional need-based aid, to encourage colleges to hold down price increases.
ä Streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process and create a two-page FAFSA-EZ form for low-income families.
ä Require student-loan institutions and lenders to adopt strict codes of conduct.
ä Create a scholarship program for active-duty military personnel and family members, including children and spouses of active-duty military service members or veterans.
H.R. 4137 builds on the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the largest federal investment in student aid since the 1944 GI Bill, which was signed into law in September, also with Arcuri's support.
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act will boost college financial aid by more than $20 billion during the next five years, including increasing financial aid $2,217,665 for college students in New York.
Arcuri said the act also will:
ä Cut interest rates on need-based student loans from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent during the next four years, saving $4,570 for the typical New York student borrower with need-based loans over the life of the loan.
ä Provide tuition assistance for excellent undergraduate students who agree to teach in public schools, as well as loan forgiveness after 10 years of public service.
