Apr 28, 2009

President Obama And USSA Support Funding For Higher Education

On April 24th, President Obama addressed the struggles that students face in higher education. President Obama's budget included increases to the Pell Grant, switching to direct loans instead of federal family education loans (FFEL), a $2,500 annual tax credit that will help students pay the cost of tuition, and increases to the Perkins loan program.  Here is the video where President Obama addresses these issues: 




President Obama's budget will make sure that students from across the country afford the cost of attending college. This is a step in the right direction to improve America's higher education.

If we spotlight the impact that the Pell Grant will do if the budget passes, 7 million students from across the country will benefit from this program. For example, there will be 18,117 additional students receiving the Pell Grant in New York, 27,546 additional students receiving the Pell Grant in California, and 14,369 additional students receiving the Pell Grant in Florida. Also, the average Pell Grant award for the 2010-2011 academic year will be $3,541 for Alabama, $3,503 in North Carolina, and $3,583 for Montana.

Find your State's recipient and average grant increases on the Campus Progress website.

President Obama knows the tough battle ahead to put students first. "The banks and the lenders who have reaped a windfall from these subsidies have mobilized an army of lobbyists to try to keep things the way they are" stated President Obama, "They are gearing up for battle.  So am I".  President Obama has made a commitment to students, but there is only so much he can do to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get a higher education. We as young people need to make sure that our voice is heard throughout the budget process. Now is the time to call your representative and tell them to support President Obama's budget.

-USSA

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