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Democrats fight grant, loan cuts

Gephardt, leaders ask for support in fighting legislation

By Michael Howerton

Urging students to help lawmakers take a stand against the financial aid cuts proposed by the Republicans in congress, Richard Gephardt, the U.S. House Democratic leader, vowed to "maintain the commitment to our students" at a rally at Santa Monica College on Thursday.

Accompanied by Democratic members of congress from local districts, Gephardt promised that they would do all they could to stop the bill which outlines what he called, "the most egregious cuts in education in over 30 years."

A report prepared by the congress members at the rally detailed the impact of the proposed Republican cuts in student aid on California college students. The bill seeks to slash $12.9 billion in student aid over the next five years through the elimination of Stafford loans, Perkins loans, federal work study programs, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG).

"This is a bad proposal," Gephardt warned the crowd of around 200, about half of which were students, some of whom carried signs attacking the Republican bill and championing the importance of financial aid in higher education.

"Each of us will do everything in our power to defeat these proposals. They must be stopped," Gephardt said.

The proposal allows for a 9.7 percent increase in Pell grants, which are given primarily to low-income students. The increase will come from half of the money saved through the elimination of the other federal aid programs, according to the report.

At the University of California, where 44 percent of undergraduates rely to some extent on financial aid, the average student who receives aid will face an additional $3,318 in fees due to the elimination of Stafford student loan interest deferral program, the report found.

Under the proposed bill, the typical undergraduate will owe about $4,800 more in loan repayments on top of the $15,000 a typical student now owes after four years of college, the report found.

UCLA student representative Sabrina Smith, who said she was graduating this year with $15,500 in student loans, implored the students and the politicians alike at the rally to work hard to preserve access to education by keeping aid available.

"The priorities of the state and country are turning away from education and financing our future," she said. "These cuts could mean the end of our future."

Rep. Howard Berman, D-Panorama City, called the proposed cuts "stupid."

"I cannot think of anything dumber than taking people who are already ambitious, motivated, and qualified for higher education and deprive them of access," he said.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, spoke about how crucial financial aid is to students in California's colleges.

"Lots of people are barely holding on," he said. "The students in our institutions are struggling. We must stop this effort (to cut aid). We must invest in people, especially young people."

Gephardt stressed that involvement was needed from students to insure that financial aid would continue to be available.

"If you stand up and speak for your interests, you can turn this (bill) back," he said. "I not only want to turn it back, I want to make them sorry they ever brought it up."

Gephardt said that he thought there is a good chance of stopping the bill, which will probably be voted on this summer. But if it went through congress, he said he was sure the president would veto it, with enough congressional support to maintain the veto on the bill.

"I am glad to see there are leaders in congress who are taking a stand for education," Smith said. "It shows that we do have allies."

Gephardt said that he plans to stage rallies like the one Thursday all across the country in the coming weeks to make sure people know about the proposed cuts.

"If (this issue) is not discussed and Americans do not participate, it is a possibility (that aid will be cut)," said Gregory Bedard, external vice-president of the Bruin Democrats. "But by making students aware, there is a good possibility of making sure loans will not be cut."

The Bruin Republican could not be reached for comment on this issue.

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