Rivals clash on higher learning

Both President Bush and Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry have said time and time again that increasing costs are starting to shut middle America out of higher education.

But both men have distinctly different ways of remedying the problem.

To address rising tuition and fees, Bush would implement record hikes in financial aid, while Kerry would provide tax credit for students who wish to attend four-year institutions.

"We know that regardless who is president, access to higher education is becoming a very, very important issue," said Clara Lovett, president of the American Association for Higher Education.

Bush wants to increase student financial aid by $25.9 billion, or 55 percent. Under this increase, the maximum Pell Grant awarded would be $5,050, an increase of $1,000.

The increase also will expand the service group AmeriCorps to 75,000 members and give those who participate full-time an award of $4,725 to pay for college or graduate school.

Kerry's plan, most specifically outlined in the Democratic Party platform, includes yearly tax credits of as much as $4,000 on tuition for families of dependent students or students themselves.

He and vice presidential candidate John Edwards would strengthen aid programs and eliminate generous subsidies for lenders.

Both candidates view improvements in education as the first step to expanding and training the workforce.

"We need a better educated workforce than ever before if we are to remain competitive in a global market," Lovett said.

"We need to outthink other people, and we need to be able to perform at high levels."

Democrats plan to strengthen technical training for those who do not attend college and to place more emphasis on student achievement in math and science.

Bush said he will provide $125 million in grants to community colleges to enable high school students to earn college credit and graduate in less time.

But neither candidate outlines how exactly he plans to pay for these initiatives.

Since plans to fight tuition costs often get lost in the rhetoric on bigger issues, such as homeland security or unemployment, candidates are not explicit in the details.

"Education, especially higher education, in this campaign has been just a footnote," Lovett said.

"Frankly, some of the proposals from both candidates sound good, but are not very specific. The purpose is to try to attract voters."

Another reason for the de-emphasis on higher education is the decentralization of higher education policy.

Most policies are left to the state government and institutions' governing bodies, such as the UNC system's Board of Governors.

"The president can have ideas and influence what Congress does in financial aid and things like that, but it's a limited role," Lovett said.

"For that reason, you will not find higher education in a very prominent spot on the agenda."

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.