SU rallies students to save billions in federal aid

SU rallies students to save billions in federal aidApril 26, 2005Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

As lawmakers in the House and Senate continue their debate over the FY 2006 federal budget, two competing budget resolutions affecting federal student aid have emerged: The Senate’s resolution, which would increase federal funding for student aid by $5.4 billion; and the House resolution, which would eliminate aid programs including Perkins Loans, GEAR UP and several others.

On Wednesday, April 27, Syracuse University’s Office of Government and Community Relations and Office of Supportive Services will ask students to join in the battle to save student aid. A bank of computers and supplies for sending postcards will be set up in the atrium of the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center for students to contact their members of Congress. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public, with parking available in paid visitor lots.

“The proposed elimination of the Federal Perkins loan will deny students an important source of low interest loans which helps more than 1,000 SU students each year,” says SU Dean of Financial Aid Christopher Walsh. “Elimination of the GEAR UP program, which helps prepare low income students for the challenges of college, would negatively impact students from the Syracuse City School District and elsewhere.” GEAR UP has helped nearly 1,000 children in Syracuse get ready for college.

“We have reached a critical turning point in the federal budget process. Now is the time for students to get involved and make their voices heard,” says Jessica Crawford, associate director of Government and Community Relations. “If students do not demonstrate the importance of education funding to members of Congress, we are at risk of losing significant dollars-and that would hurt current and future students’ chances of receiving a college education.”

For more information, or to send comments in advance of the event, visit http://ga1.org/campaign/budget_resolution or call (315) 443-3919.