Dear Dick,
I think you have been very frugal with the truth. If you could budget the government the way you do the truth, we would have enough money to keep higher education affordable.
For example, you cannot be for and against gay marriage. It is one or the other. Unless you are very confused and cannot make up your mind, it is very dangerous and concerning for the citizens when their leader is in such a state.
You have said, “higher education can’t be a luxury – it’s an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford.” I don’t see how that statement corresponds with tuition rate hikes, student loan rate hikes, and a new Pell Grant lifetime limit.
The Pell grant that was available to students in order to help them receive an undergraduate degree was limited to the total of 12 semesters of credit.
For students who are returning to school to change their career in a depressed economic state, this is not good.
I attended college and received a Pell grant after high school. After working for years in that field, I was laid-off and needed to return to school to obtain more education.
I totally agree: “community colleges play an important role in helping people transition between careers by providing the retooling they need to take on a new career.”
When I was laid off I chose to go back to community college. I needed something that was affordable and offered good education.
I was very relieved when I received a letter from financial aid saying that my Pell grant had been approved. Imagine my surprise when
I received a second notice from financial aid saying your grant has been changed because of the Pell Grant lifetime limit. Now because of the lifetime Pell grant limit I will most likely not be able to finish my education.
You also said “we have an obligation and a responsibility to be investing in our students and their schools. We must make sure that people who have the grades, the desire and the will, but not the money, can still get the best education possible.”
So how do your actions fit with what you have said? They don’t seem congruent to me.
I would really appreciate a politician, president or just a person who has authority to actually say what they really mean. And have the integrity to actually stand by and back up in action what they say.
I believe you said it best when you said “if people cannot trust the government to do the job for which it exists–to protect them and promote their common welfare–all else is lost.”
Sincerely,
Teresa Piedad
A financially $tressed out $tudent
