The Llama Ledger - Bard College at Simon's Rock's Student Newspaper

Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: News

"President Bush signing the bill was a direct result of young people like Trea getting involved in politics," Courtney said.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to go to college without a slew of debts following them for the rest of their lives," said Alexis Bogosian, a 5th-semester pathobiology and animal science double major. "This financial aid expansion is a step in the right direction."

Since Connecticut's 2nd district is home to two state universities, three community colleges and two private schools, Courtney said financing higher education is a priority.

"The issue has been neglected by the administration and three Congresses," Courtney said. "There has been under-funding of basic programs that students—poor and middle class—rely on for college."

From 2000 to 2006, there was a 40 percent increase in the cost of private and public colleges. During this time period, the Pell Grant was frozen at $4,000, Courtney said. The last Congress in office was responsible for increasing Stafford loan interest rates.

"This has been a fight since the day we started in the first 100 hours," Courtney said. "It took determination and tenacity to get [the bill] through."

This financial aid increase is the largest since the G.I. Bill was passed in 1944, Courtney said.

"It's nice to see our president do something for the greater good of Americans," Bogosian said.

"The republicans didn't do much to help students afford college," said Dave Steuber, a 7th-semester political science, philosophy and economics triple major, and president of the UConn College Democrats. "This is the second bill that the Democrats have tried to pass since the beginning of the year."

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