Proposed legislation offers relief to low-income students

-- Senator Norm Coleman

A wise man once said, “The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future life.” Education is the gift of a future we give our children, and in return, benefits us all. In Minnesota, we have first-rate colleges and universities that have inspired and produced national and local leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. We can thank our teachers, professors and parents who have provided us with this proud history and have blessed us with a promising future. A college education is still one of the most valuable assets we have here in Minnesota.

My son just started college this year, and I’m proud that he is getting a quality education right here in this state I am proud to represent. However, like many other Minnesotans and parents of college-age students, or soon-to-be students, I am concerned that college tuitions are at an all time high. I’m also worried that students who fund their own education will be burdened with debt when they graduate.

I remain committed to the belief that access to a college education must be available to all students who possess the desire and determination to go to college—and it must be made affordable as well. No program makes more of a difference for college-bound students than Pell Grants, which provide assistance to many students from low- and middle-income families who might not otherwise be able to follow their dreams and graduate with a college degree.

This year alone an estimated 5,309,000 students nationally will receive Pell Grants. In Minnesota, 76,525 students receive these grants, totaling close to $176 million.

Last spring I met with students, college presidents, and financial aid officers from Minnesota to discuss the problem of rising tuition costs and the importance of the Pell Grant program. From these students and educational officials, I was reminded of how much these grants impact our students and schools all over the state, and I took their passion and ideas back with me to Washington.

As a result of this meeting, I led a bipartisan effort to increase maximum Pell Grant awards for students and I introduced an amendment to the Senate Budget Resolution to increase the maximum Pell Grant award from $4,050 to $4,500. While the amendment was adopted by the Senate with strong bipartisan support; unfortunately, the Budget Resolution itself was not approved.

But it’s too soon to give Congress and the White House a final grade on this issue. I am encouraged by President Bush’s support of reaching the goal of a $4,550 Pell Grant maximum award that he addressed in his budget. President Bush’s proposal calls for an increase in the maximum Pell Grant by $100 per year over the next five years to a maximum of $4,550 a year.

As much as I applaud this effort, I think that we need a more rapid increase in funding this year. That is why I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to increase funding to $4,500 this year, an immediate addition of $450. The increase offers real relief to our students, and I hope my provision is included in the FY06 budget.

Now is the time to address the needs of our students and universities and take steps to meet our goals. We must keep up with the demands of rising costs and tuition expenses, which is why I am working to immediately increase funding to the Pell Grant program. Improved funding will help open doors for students to whom college is not currently an option, and will assist current students who are struggling to make ends meet. I will continue to work for measures that help every student in Minnesota achieve their educational goals in order to provide a more promising future.

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