Since the 1790’s the Republican and Democratic Party has had differing views on who is actually right on the matter at hand. This has led to today’s misconceptions each party has on the other. Liberals tend to think us Republicans are racists, against the government, don’t care about the environment, and think only the wealthy should attend a higher education institution.
And on the topic of education, while the last statement might not entirely be untrue, I, as a conservative, have an explanation that follows.
Democrats believe that conservatives want to keep the rich wealthy and the poor in the slums when it comes to disagreements on an education perspective. I agree that education is almost the only way to advance in one’s life. Unless you have prospered off a get rich scheme watching a late night infomercial, you need education to advance in your professional life to gain a respectful as well as a financially stable position in society. According to OnTheIssues.org, a Democratic website that defines it’s standpoints, stated that, “Democrats know that the key to expanding opportunity is to provide every child with a strong foundation of education. We will also help expand educational opportunities for college by making college tuition tax deductible, expanding Pell Grants, and cut student loan interest rates.” According to The National Center for Education Statistics, “Sixty-six percent of all undergraduates received some type of financial aid in 2007–08 and in 2007–08, federal Pell Grants were awarded to 27 percent of all undergraduates at an average of $2,600.”
I’m sorry, but expand Pell Grants through financial aid? The federal government should in no way impose with who gets into college because of the money a student is granted. According to the book Academically Adrift, higher education institutions are now looking at the money students receive and compete for those students. Which is ironic because I thought college was about getting accepted based on the grades you received in high school?
The statistics on the amount of students who receive at least some form of financial aid, to me, is astronomical. According to the number, that means more than HALF of undergrads receive financial aid. I mean, I know we are in an economic slump, but you’re telling me that more than half of all students qualify for some type of award?
Maybe I’m being cynical because I didn’t qualify for anything but loans this semester, but then again, I am also one of those rare students who work my ass off to pay for my own tuition and books because I don’t have the privilege of mommy and daddy handing be a blank check to give to the bursar. Either way, I still believe that education should be rooted from personal responsibility and accomplishment, not the amount of money the government deems you necessary because your parents didn’t make enough money or because you didn’t get high enough grades.
Sources: 1. 2006 Democratic Party Congressional Promise Nov 1, 2006
2. http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/Democratic_Party_Education.htm
3. http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=31CLICK LINK TO WATCH VIDEO: <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FiQJ9Xp0xxU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I had no idea that that many students got money via finical aid and federal grants!! I agree when you say that students shouldn't be accepted because of the money, but what about students who need that money to go to school? If they don't receive the grants they have no chance of being accepted themselves. Getting into college should be based on grades and performance in high school, and then if students need help paying that's when the money should be granted or they should earn scholarships. Good post/topic.
ReplyDelete"According to the number, that means more than HALF of undergrads receive financial aid. I mean, I know we are in an economic slump, but you’re telling me that more than half of all students qualify for some type of award?"
ReplyDeleteYES!! I'm surprised that number isn't higher. College is expensive, and getting more so every year. That's a fact and not a political view.
I am a little confused though about what you mean by financial aid, that also includes student loans, which you said you yourself recieve. This is aid that will be paid back and contributes to the 66% of undergads that revieve some type of financial aid. I wonder if there is more specific information you could have used to speicify what percentage of those students are recieving just student loans, just Pell Grants, or both.
I also don't understand why you think that expanding Pell Grants through financial aid is the government regulating who gets into college. In fact, you can't even apply for a Pell Grant until you are already accepted and registered at a College or University. The government is trying to stress the importance of secondary education by showing more people that it is possible for them to attend college.
I myself have seen how very hard it is to work full time and attend college, I was constantly stressed, tired and my grades we mediocre at best. I was paying my own way and recieved no financial aid at the time. There was no end in sight because in order to work full time (50+ hours per week) at my job I was only able to take 2 classes at a time. It would have taken me 7 years to finish at that rate. When I finally realized that finishing college was much more important to me than the job I had, I quit my job and am now a full time student on the Dean's list. This would not be possible with out the student loans and Pell Grants I am recieving.
I appreciate your post and just wanted to share my side of the story, thanks!
@believeinlove816 I do not recieve financial aid, never have and I never will. I said I didn't qualify. I only applied for fafsa just to see what it was all about.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I did post a percent of students who just recieve Pell Grants.
In our reading from Academically Adrift it states specifically that colleges compete with each other over students who recieve the Pell Grant because it makes them look better.
I do agree that school is way more important then the mediocre job I have now, but I choose not to take out a loan because I don't want to be paying it off for the rest of my life.