Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                 Matt Dulin                   Tony Hernandez      Jim Parsons
                Jason Poland             Dusti Rhodes           Blake Whitaker

Pell Grant increases not as nice as they seem

The recent proposal by President George W. Bush to increase Pell Grants by $100 a year over five years seems like a boon to students struggling to pay for college, but those students should read the fine print before getting too excited.

The proposal sounds nice, but as it turns out, it may be too little to keep up with the rising cost of tuition and fees. Bush may simply be trying to cover his tracks -- the maximum Pell Grant award five years from now is still substantially under what he promised it would be in 2000, and new provisions will make it harder for certain students to receive the award.

Funding higher education should be considered one of the most important uses of taxpayer money Congress has at its disposal. Whatever the legislature spends will certainly be paid back in the form of an educated, productive populace. It's important that students be allowed every opportunity available to finance a university education. Not everyone can go to college, nor should they -- a degree should be something that indicates the presence of above average intelligence and a healthy work ethic, something that not everyone possesses. Nevertheless, it's vital that those who do possess those traits be given every opportunity to pursue that goal.

What we need from Washington is real increases in aid, not a political song and dance that allows positive spin to be put on changes that merely shuffle money without giving students what they truly require.

Pay SFAC a visit

The Student Fees Advisory Committee will meet from 8:45 a.m. to around 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Monday to decide the fate of UH students' fees. It's always important for students to provide input on such matters, but given the recent green light to increase the $150 fee cap, it's all the more important to speak your piece about where your money is going, if you're so inclined.

Public comment sessions will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and Monday, and at 11:45 a.m. Friday. You might not be able to change the system in three brief sessions, but it's a start.