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U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) gave the following statement today at the ribbon-cutting for the week-long effort at Rutgers University to advocate on behalf of increased college education funding.
"I am so encouraged to see so many of you here today for the ribbon-cutting for the Fourth Annual Tent State University. I'm so glad that you are dedicating a substantial amount of your time over the next week to how it's becoming more and more difficult to afford a college education.
"In order to influence policymakers here in New Jersey and in Washington, you need to realize that your concerns simply will not be heard if you don't speak out. That's why I'm so supportive of students at Rutgers taking a stand this week against education budget cuts and the raid on student aid in Washington. You really can make a difference if a large number of you voice your valid concerns about college affordability.
"I firmly believe that education is the best investment in America’s future. All the available research indicates that higher education leads to higher income, better health, lower crime rates, and a better quality of life overall. But the prospect and quality of education in America is being impacted by the policies that are set by the federal government.
"Unfortunately, Republicans have followed a path that reflects the President's misplaced priorities. They would rather provide tax cuts to their wealthy supporters than provide the necessary resources to help America’s students obtain a college education.
"At a time when college enrollment is projected to skyrocket, and state budget cuts are driving up college prices -- federal funding levels that don’t keep pace will leave low- and middle- income students nowhere to turn. Financial barriers should never prevent a qualified student from going to college, and that is why America has long since made the commitment to help all Americans afford a college education.
"Studies show that financial barriers alone will prevent 4.4 million high school graduates from attending a four-year public university like Rutgers over the next decade, and prevent another two million from attending any college at all. And that's before the Republican Raid on Student Aid.
"Last December, the House of Representatives voted to cut $12 billion from the federal student aid programs---the largest cuts in the program's history. After widespread criticism from Democrats, students and editorial writers, the GOP finally agreed to reduce some of the excessive subsidies to large lending institutions.
"However, these cuts mean that those of you with student loans will be forced to pay more when you repay your college loans because of either new fees leveled by the financial institutions or higher interest rates. That is simply not fair. You should not have mountains of debt when you leave college so the privileged few can reap the benefits of new tax breaks.
"This spring, House Republicans proposed a budget proposal that again slashes education funding. Over five years the budget cuts non-defense spending by $160 billion below the amount needed to maintain services at their current levels. This includes $45 billion for education funding. The budget proposal places the national budget crisis and tax cuts for the super-rich on the backs of students and families who are already struggling to pay for college.
"It freezes funding for Pell Grants and cuts $100 million from Perkins Loans. The budget freezes the maximum Pell Grants at $4,050, and cuts funding for Perkins Loans by $100 million. It also freezes or eliminates funding for campus-based student aid programs, resulting in the loss of grants, work-study, and loans to about 78,000 students. This year, tuition at state universities increased nationwide by as much as 40 percent in some states.
"Already, the typical low-income student falls short by $3,800 each year when paying for college even after adding up personal savings, income from work, student aid and family financial support. The typical middle-income student falls short by $2,250.
"The proposed cuts to student aid will only widen the gap between the cost of a college education and what students and families can afford. We should be doing more, not less, to increase affordable college opportunities not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is critical to the economic prosperity, our ability to compete globally and the well-being of the nation.
"Fortunately, there is still time for all of you to make a difference. Two weeks ago, House Republicans were unable to get enough support for their fiscally reckless and morally irresponsible budget. Congress does not return to Washington until next week. That means you have another week to make your voices heard----speak out against these education budget cuts to your representatives in Washington. We can still defeat this mean-spirited budget, but we need your help. Today's event is a great start." |
