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The Daily OrangeEducation act benefits students
By Hope Morley
Posted: 8/27/08, 1:19 AM EST Section: News
Students might save money after graduation as well because the law provides new income-based repayment options. For those going into civil service professions - nursing, civil defense and public health - the act also provides loan forgiveness options.
"We cannot afford to have public policy that discourages our students from going into professions of service," Copeland-Morgan said. "It won't reduce student indebtedness, but it helps better manage debt."
In addition to loans, the act also increases the maximum Federal Pell Grant for students from low-income families from $4,731 to $6,000 a year come July 1, 2009. This year, more than 20 percent of incoming freshmen at SU receive some support from a Pell Grant.
The act also aims to reduce the cost of textbooks effective July 1, 2010 by forcing publishers into full disclosure about pricing and how often they print new editions. Also, textbooks that come packaged together with computer programs or workbooks must be made available for separate purchase.
Anna Richardson, a freshman in the School of Information Studies, said she spent more than $500 on textbooks for the semester. Her math book included a computer disk, which makes it more expensive.
"I learn best from books anyway," she said about the disk. "I probably won't even use (the bundled books)."
One potential loophole in the unbundling requirement comes if a publisher declares the textbook and supplemental materials are "integrated," or both are required. In that case, they do not have to be offered separately.
"This loophole could be wide enough to drive a truck through," said Francis Clark from New York Public Interest Research Group.
Though the increase in grants and other programs look great on paper, Copeland-Morgan warns that without proper appropriations from Congress, they will fall short.
SU already provides over two-thirds of monies for financial aid. Without more government money, SU will not be able to afford to give higher grant awards or bigger loans.
"Every student eligible to vote should communicate with our elected officials and say, 'We're aware that we won't benefit without proper funding,'" Copeland-Morgan said. "It's not enough to just pass it."
hemorley@syr.edu
"We cannot afford to have public policy that discourages our students from going into professions of service," Copeland-Morgan said. "It won't reduce student indebtedness, but it helps better manage debt."
In addition to loans, the act also increases the maximum Federal Pell Grant for students from low-income families from $4,731 to $6,000 a year come July 1, 2009. This year, more than 20 percent of incoming freshmen at SU receive some support from a Pell Grant.
The act also aims to reduce the cost of textbooks effective July 1, 2010 by forcing publishers into full disclosure about pricing and how often they print new editions. Also, textbooks that come packaged together with computer programs or workbooks must be made available for separate purchase.
Anna Richardson, a freshman in the School of Information Studies, said she spent more than $500 on textbooks for the semester. Her math book included a computer disk, which makes it more expensive.
"I learn best from books anyway," she said about the disk. "I probably won't even use (the bundled books)."
One potential loophole in the unbundling requirement comes if a publisher declares the textbook and supplemental materials are "integrated," or both are required. In that case, they do not have to be offered separately.
"This loophole could be wide enough to drive a truck through," said Francis Clark from New York Public Interest Research Group.
Though the increase in grants and other programs look great on paper, Copeland-Morgan warns that without proper appropriations from Congress, they will fall short.
SU already provides over two-thirds of monies for financial aid. Without more government money, SU will not be able to afford to give higher grant awards or bigger loans.
"Every student eligible to vote should communicate with our elected officials and say, 'We're aware that we won't benefit without proper funding,'" Copeland-Morgan said. "It's not enough to just pass it."
hemorley@syr.edu
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