Whoever is elected as president on Nov. 6 will be responsible for crafting policies that affect student loans for the next four years.
Before voting, it is important UNC students know where the presidential candidates stand on the issue of Pell grants, since many students rely on them for financial aid.
Mitt Romney hasn’t been specific on the issue of Pell grants. Romney’s education plan, entitled A Chance for Every Child, only promises to “refocus Pell grant dollars on the students that need them most and place the program on a responsible long-term path that avoids future funding cliffs and last-minute funding patches.”
Paul Ryan, Romney’s running mate and the current House Budget Committee chair, was the author of the fiscal year 2013 budget resolution passed by the House, which calls for changes to the current Pell grant program.
These changes include creating a maximum income cap to be eligible for a grant, eliminating eligibility for less-than-half-time students and reversing recent expansions to the Pell grant program that increase the number of families exempt from paying for any college expenses.
President Barack Obama has generally been supportive of Pell grants. He is against reducing eligibility and would allow increases in the maximum grants provided.
However, the president has eliminated other helpful benefits from the Pell grant program. Such benefits include the in-school interest benefit on subsidized Stafford loans for graduate students and additional Pell grants for summer enrollment.
UNC students should take a closer look at the candidates with regard to education and financial aid and make an informed decision on election day.
