Senator Harkin, Iowa College Presidents, Discuss Bush Budget Cuts For Student Aid

Harkin vows to fix funding cuts to help Iowa receive educational assistance

February 6, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Late yesterday, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) met with representatives of seven Iowa colleges to discuss deep cuts to higher education funding in President Bush’s proposed budget. Harkin, who leads the Senate committee that funds education initiatives, called the Bush budget an irresponsible, backward-thinking budget that would have dire consequences for Iowa’s educational assistance programs. The school presidents thanked Harkin for successfully restoring previous cuts made to higher education programs.

“I urge this lame-duck President to wake up and recognize the responsibility he has to our young people,” said Harkin. “President Bush is completely out of touch with working families and students who deserve the opportunity to follow their dreams and attend the college of their choice, not just the one they can afford. And the President’s budget proposal threatens disadvantaged young people by completely eliminating two programs that thousands of Iowa students rely upon to pay for college.”

The President’s proposed budget would eliminate funding for crucial student aid programs, including low-interest Perkins loans that help 19,000 Iowa college students and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG) for the most disadvantaged college students, including 23,000 Iowans. In addition, the budget would restrict access to a new federal program offering loan forgiveness to those dedicating their lives to public service careers like education, law enforcement, and public health.

“This budget wrongfully withholds financial aid from needy young people who are trying to reach their life goals. Why on earth would positive, popular programs that give students a clear direction be zeroed out in the Bush budget?” asked Harkin. “I will work in my education funding committee to make investments in programs that reflect the educational and career focused priorities Iowans and the American people value.”

In 2007, Congress approved student loan forgiveness for borrowers who commit to public service careers such as nursing, teaching, or law enforcement for 10 years. The President would like to limit access to that program to only new borrowers who take out loans after July of 2009, rather than allowing any borrower – including those who are already in repayment on their loans – to take advantage of the program.

Harkin continued: “I have been a strong proponent of public service which is why I fought to return excess subsidies paid to student lenders to these talented individuals in the form of loan forgiveness. The President’s budget exemplifies the wrong priorities by restricting access to this program.”

The Iowa Association of Independent College and University members who attended yesterday’s meeting are:

Briar Cliff University President Bev Wharton
Buena Vista University President Fred Moore
Central College President David Roe
Luther College President Richard Torgerson
Simpson College President John Byrd
St. Ambrose University President Sister Joan Lescinski
St. Luke’s College Chancellor Mike Stiles
Iowa Association of College and University Representatives Kathleen Gannon and Gary Steinke

Source: Senator Tom Harkin

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