Blunt urges more scholarships
The plan could stall because it's part of the MOHELA bill.
April 3, 2007
Despite ongoing debate of his proposed plan to sell assets of the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, Gov. Matt Blunt spoke at MU March 24 and said an increase in funding for higher education was necessary.
The plan, which would significantly increase the state's need-based scholarship funding, has been caught in the shadow of the MOHELA plan. Both of the plans are included in an umbrella higher education bill that has seen a great deal of debate in the Senate. The scholarship plan might be less controversial, but the bill has yet to pass because of the MOHELA provisions with which it is packaged.
The proposed Access Missouri Program would combine the state's two financial assistance programs for students attending public or private higher education institutions, the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program and the Missouri College Guarantee Program.
Blunt spokeswoman Jessica Robinson said the bill would also increase funding to $72.5 million in 2008. This year, the two separate financial assistance programs are set to receive just $27.3 million.
Blunt referenced recommendations from the State Student Financial Aid Committee to draft his proposal.
"Education is my highest priority, and I will continue to enhance opportunities for all Missouri's students," Blunt stated in a press release. "The new funding I have recommended for scholarships will significantly expand students' access to college and higher education opportunities."
Rep. Jeff Harris, D-Columbia, said the inclusion of this part of the bill could be hindered by the fact that it is in the same umbrella bill as the MOHELA plan.
"The governor seems to be pretty stubborn about this," Harris said. "He's including it with the MOHELA package. It's probably not a good thing."
The proposal has been better received at MU and in the UM system, but there are still worries about passage of the bill because it has the MOHELA provisions.
MU Provost Brian Foster said any increase to need-based aid is a good idea, but he has other concerns with the higher education bill.
"I have a lot of concerns with some of the other elements of (the bill)," he said. "If those kind of circumstances were to happen, it would place a heavy burden on what the university could do."
UM system spokesman Scott Charton said the aid increase was a significant aspect of the bill.
"This legislation would dramatically increase the amount spent to help students attend college," he said.
Charton said the umbrella higher education bill is complex, but it shouldn't be overlooked.
"The financial aid piece is one that marks a positive step in Missouri's investment in public higher education, and we like that investment in the University of Missouri," Charton said.
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management Ann Korschgen said MU would be able to serve several thousand more students with financial aid. She said MU serves 1,000 students with $2.4 million of aid under the existing programs, but those numbers would increase to 5,500 and $9 million respectively if the legislation passes.
"It's much more simple than now with the two programs," Korschgen said. "We are certainly hoping it will go through and have our fingers crossed at this point."
Robinson said the proposed increases would be possible under the budget. She said the governor remains optimistic that the higher education bill will pass despite the ongoing debate about the MOHELA provisions.
Harris said the bill would need to be looked into further before any action is taken.
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