Democrats fight grant, loan cuts

Democrats fight grant, loan cuts

Gephardt, leaders ask for support in fighting legislation

By Michael Howerton

Urging students to help lawmakers take a stand against the
financial aid cuts proposed by the Republicans in congress, Richard
Gephardt, the U.S. House Democratic leader, vowed to "maintain the
commitment to our students" at a rally at Santa Monica College on
Thursday.

Accompanied by Democratic members of congress from local
districts, Gephardt promised that they would do all they could to
stop the bill which outlines what he called, "the most egregious
cuts in education in over 30 years."

A report prepared by the congress members at the rally detailed
the impact of the proposed Republican cuts in student aid on
California college students. The bill seeks to slash $12.9 billion
in student aid over the next five years through the elimination of
Stafford loans, Perkins loans, federal work study programs, and
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG).

"This is a bad proposal," Gephardt warned the crowd of around
200, about half of which were students, some of whom carried signs
attacking the Republican bill and championing the importance of
financial aid in higher education.

"Each of us will do everything in our power to defeat these
proposals. They must be stopped," Gephardt said.

The proposal allows for a 9.7 percent increase in Pell grants,
which are given primarily to low-income students. The increase will
come from half of the money saved through the elimination of the
other federal aid programs, according to the report.

At the University of California, where 44 percent of
undergraduates rely to some extent on financial aid, the average
student who receives aid will face an additional $3,318 in fees due
to the elimination of Stafford student loan interest deferral
program, the report found.

Under the proposed bill, the typical undergraduate will owe
about $4,800 more in loan repayments on top of the $15,000 a
typical student now owes after four years of college, the report
found.

UCLA student representative Sabrina Smith, who said she was
graduating this year with $15,500 in student loans, implored the
students and the politicians alike at the rally to work hard to
preserve access to education by keeping aid available.

"The priorities of the state and country are turning away from
education and financing our future," she said. "These cuts could
mean the end of our future."

Rep. Howard Berman, D-Panorama City, called the proposed cuts
"stupid."

"I cannot think of anything dumber than taking people who are
already ambitious, motivated, and qualified for higher education
and deprive them of access," he said.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, spoke about how crucial
financial aid is to students in California’s colleges.

"Lots of people are barely holding on," he said. "The students
in our institutions are struggling. We must stop this effort (to
cut aid). We must invest in people, especially young people."

Gephardt stressed that involvement was needed from students to
insure that financial aid would continue to be available.

"If you stand up and speak for your interests, you can turn this
(bill) back," he said. "I not only want to turn it back, I want to
make them sorry they ever brought it up."

Gephardt said that he thought there is a good chance of stopping
the bill, which will probably be voted on this summer. But if it
went through congress, he said he was sure the president would veto
it, with enough congressional support to maintain the veto on the
bill.

"I am glad to see there are leaders in congress who are taking a
stand for education," Smith said. "It shows that we do have
allies."

Gephardt said that he plans to stage rallies like the one
Thursday all across the country in the coming weeks to make sure
people know about the proposed cuts.

"If (this issue) is not discussed and Americans do not
participate, it is a possibility (that aid will be cut)," said
Gregory Bedard, external vice-president of the Bruin Democrats.
"But by making students aware, there is a good possibility of
making sure loans will not be cut."

The Bruin Republican could not be reached for comment on this
issue.