House Republicans' Spending Bill for Remainder of 2011 Would Cut Pell Grant by 15%

[Modbert]

House Republicans' Spending Bill Would Cut Pell Grant by 15 Percent - Government - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have unveiled a spending bill for the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year that would slash $100-billion from the president's budget request.

The measure, which the House is expected to take up this week, would cut millions of dollars from federal support for research and student financial aid.

The student-aid reductions would trim the maximum Pell Grant by 15 percent, or $845, from the $5,550 available to the neediest students now, and make 1.7 million students ineligible for Pell Grants, according to Mark Kantrowitz, who publishes FinAid, a Web site that gives financial-aid advice. If enacted, the reductions would be the largest cut in student-aid funds in the history of the Pell Grant program.

In his proposal, the president is expected to call for maintaining the maximum Pell Grant at $5,550, and pay for it by seeking cuts of $100-billion elsewhere in the federal student-aid programs over the next decade.

The savings proposals reportedly will include ending a "year round" provision that allows Pell Grant recipients to collect two grants in a single award year, with the second grant used for summer classes, and cutting the interest subsidies that the government now pays for graduate and professional students while they are still in college. Both of those changes would require Congressional approval.

Meanwhile:

GOP Won't Cut Defense Without Deal | The National Interest Blog

On Thursday, House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) announced spending levels for the remainder of the 2011 Fiscal Year. Under the plan, discretionary spending would be cut by $74 billion, and security spending—defense, homeland security, and other related agencies—would be cut by $16 billion.

At first glance, this seems like a minor victory for deficit hawks. While the amount of security spending cut is still not close to the reductions Christopher Preble, Benjamin Friedman, and others propose, or anywhere near the $100 billion in discretionary spending cuts the GOP proposed in its “Pledge to America,” it is a start. But let’s be clear: the Federal deficit is projected to be $1.5 trillion this year. In no way does $74 billion dollars in cuts address this problem.

And in fact, it’s not even $74 billion. As multiple outlets have correctly reported—reports Ryan’s office continue to deny—the amount of discretionary spending cuts, based on current spending levels, is only $32 billion and security spending will receive an $8 billion increase, not including funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

[whitehall]

You have to realize that there are hundreds of government employed lawyers going through every budget proposal for victims of the dreaded GOP budget cuts. Even though the president still has to sign the checks the Soros blogs will be busy parading victims for the next two years.

 

[gekaap]

Well, if you cut the Pell Grant, then you HAVE to maintain defense spending. More people will be forced toward the military in order to get work.

 

[uscitizen]

If there are no new jobs and will be no new jobs why spend money educating people?

 

[gekaap]

If there are no new jobs and will be no new jobs why spend money educating people?

No increase in jobs does not mean that positions will not be vacated and need filling. As people retire, new people must enter the workforce to take their place. New jobs might not be being created, but jobs will continue to be recycled at the very least.

Also, despite the lack of jobs in most areas, there are also some areas that remain under staffed, like health care, for example. Making education easily available for longer term education needs (like RNs) and training initiatives for jobs that require shorter training periods, like CNAs and various techs, will help put people to work, reduce health care costs, and overall do a great deal of good for our economy. (Just using health care as an example.)

 

[uscitizen]

If there are no new jobs and will be no new jobs why spend money educating people?

No increase in jobs does not mean that positions will not be vacated and need filling. As people retire, new people must enter the workforce to take their place. New jobs might not be being created, but jobs will continue to be recycled at the very least.

Also, despite the lack of jobs in most areas, there are also some areas that remain under staffed, like health care, for example.

Yes there will be a few new jobs and some old jobs with openings as you say. However these will not keep up with the current demand to get back to "full employment" or the increased demand of those entering the workforce.

And due to the oversupply of available workers the wages for many jobs will be stagnant at best and quite possibly lower in pay.
And prices on food and energy are rising.

 

[boedicca]

Sounds like a great idea to me. All government subsidies have done is increase the cost of higher education at more than 4X the rate of inflation.

 

[uscitizen]

Govt subsidies increase the cost of a college education? Please explain how that works.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

House Republicans' Spending Bill Would Cut Pell Grant by 15 Percent - Government - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have unveiled a spending bill for the remainder of the 2011 fiscal year that would slash $100-billion from the president's budget request.

The measure, which the House is expected to take up this week, would cut millions of dollars from federal support for research and student financial aid.

The student-aid reductions would trim the maximum Pell Grant by 15 percent, or $845, from the $5,550 available to the neediest students now, and make 1.7 million students ineligible for Pell Grants, according to Mark Kantrowitz, who publishes FinAid, a Web site that gives financial-aid advice. If enacted, the reductions would be the largest cut in student-aid funds in the history of the Pell Grant program.

Meanwhile:

GOP Won't Cut Defense Without Deal | The National Interest Blog

On Thursday, House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) announced spending levels for the remainder of the 2011 Fiscal Year. Under the plan, discretionary spending would be cut by $74 billion, and security spending—defense, homeland security, and other related agencies—would be cut by $16 billion.

At first glance, this seems like a minor victory for deficit hawks. While the amount of security spending cut is still not close to the reductions Christopher Preble, Benjamin Friedman, and others propose, or anywhere near the $100 billion in discretionary spending cuts the GOP proposed in its “Pledge to America,” it is a start. But let’s be clear: the Federal deficit is projected to be $1.5 trillion this year. In no way does $74 billion dollars in cuts address this problem.

And in fact, it’s not even $74 billion. As multiple outlets have correctly reported—reports Ryan’s office continue to deny—the amount of discretionary spending cuts, based on current spending levels, is only $32 billion and security spending will receive an $8 billion increase, not including funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Your partisanship is showing again. Obama's budget is cutting Pell Grants pretty significantly.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

Govt subsidies increase the cost of a college education? Please explain how that works.

Absolutely. When you subsidize something you get more of it. Do you realize how much money you can get in student loans? I just finished my Master's Degree back in December and I owe $70k in student loans and I didn't even take near the maximum that I could.

Nothing is bringing down the cost of education because the government will lend you just about what ever you need to go. Hence, universities can and do continue to raise their tuition every year. Watch. College education will be the next housing bubble. I've already read more than a few articles over the past couple of years that the cost of a college education is nearing the point where the benefits are no longer worth it.

If the government would cut back on the amount of loans it will give, less people will be able to afford to go. That will cause the universities to start losing money so they will have to bring down the cost of tuition in order to increase their student body numbers again. Universities are no different than a business.

 

[Avorysuds]

Well, if you cut the Pell Grant, then you HAVE to maintain defense spending. More people will be forced toward the military in order to get work.

I'll be watching to see if the cost of schooling goes down at the same time =D.

 

[Avatar4321]

I love this myth that going to school "Educates" people. I would think after the recent studies showing that school isn't worth what people are paying for it and the fact that so many people learn so little from college, that throwing more money at the program isnt fixing anything.

I learned plenty in law school. (I actually tried to get my money's worth when i went to school). But I can tell you that it's a system that is designed to be a waste of money. Would have learned more being an apprentice (or some equivalent) for an Attorney and following them around while I learned the law. It would have prepared me much better for a career. not to mention I could have made money while doing it and learning the law. In fact, that's how they used to train lawyers.

We've had it ingrained in our culture that the only way to learn how to do anything is by going to school for it. But it's far from the only way to learn. I'm not even convinced it's the best way to learn. I've learned more since i left school just by going to the library and reading on subject I enjoy then I did in school (and remember, I made sure to get my money's worth).

Maybe it's time that the youth stop getting free rides and start working their butts off to learn.

 

[JFK_USA]

Govt subsidies increase the cost of a college education? Please explain how that works.

Absolutely. When you subsidize something you get more of it. Do you realize how much money you can get in student loans? I just finished my Master's Degree back in December and I owe $70k in student loans and I didn't even take near the maximum that I could.

Nothing is bringing down the cost of education because the government will lend you just about what ever you need to go. Hence, universities can and do continue to raise their tuition every year. Watch. College education will be the next housing bubble. I've already read more than a few articles over the past couple of years that the cost of a college education is nearing the point where the benefits are no longer worth it.

If the government would cut back on the amount of loans it will give, less people will be able to afford to go. That will cause the universities to start losing money so they will have to bring down the cost of tuition in order to increase their student body numbers again. Universities are no different than a business.

So only rich people can go to school, then what is the incentive for a poor person to work hard if they can't afford a bachelors degree to make more money. So why try hard in school if they can't get any financial aid to support their education. Oh and yeah no defense spending cuts, even though we have enough weapons to blow up any country in 3 hours at worst. But NOOOOOO cut our people's means to better themselves.

So now people aren't making more money, meaning they spend less meaning business can't keep employees in their company, lays them off, more people become unemployed, can't afford to buy stuff, our economy collaspes.

People need to have the opportunity to have an education. Our economy depends on it. I mean its great for the republican party, its a known fact that less educated people vote Republican, but just like when you vote Republican, its very bad for our country's future.

 

[Avatar4321]

Govt subsidies increase the cost of a college education? Please explain how that works.

Absolutely. When you subsidize something you get more of it. Do you realize how much money you can get in student loans? I just finished my Master's Degree back in December and I owe $70k in student loans and I didn't even take near the maximum that I could.

Nothing is bringing down the cost of education because the government will lend you just about what ever you need to go. Hence, universities can and do continue to raise their tuition every year. Watch. College education will be the next housing bubble. I've already read more than a few articles over the past couple of years that the cost of a college education is nearing the point where the benefits are no longer worth it.

If the government would cut back on the amount of loans it will give, less people will be able to afford to go. That will cause the universities to start losing money so they will have to bring down the cost of tuition in order to increase their student body numbers again. Universities are no different than a business.

So only rich people can go to school, then what is the incentive for a poor person to work hard if they can't afford a bachelors degree to make more money. So why try hard in school if they can't get any financial aid to support their education. Oh and yeah no defense spending cuts, even though we have enough weapons to blow up any country in 3 hours at worst. But NOOOOOO cut our people's means to better themselves.

So now people aren't making more money, meaning they spend less meaning business can't keep employees in their company, lays them off, more people become unemployed, can't afford to buy stuff, our economy collaspes.

People need to have the opportunity to have an education. Our economy depends on it. I mean its great for the republican party, its a known fact that less educated people vote Republican, but just like when you vote Republican, its very bad for our country's future.

Are you honestly suggesting that poor people can't afford to go to a Public library, get a free library card, check out books on topics they want to learn about, and read?

 

[JFK_USA]

Absolutely. When you subsidize something you get more of it. Do you realize how much money you can get in student loans? I just finished my Master's Degree back in December and I owe $70k in student loans and I didn't even take near the maximum that I could.

Nothing is bringing down the cost of education because the government will lend you just about what ever you need to go. Hence, universities can and do continue to raise their tuition every year. Watch. College education will be the next housing bubble. I've already read more than a few articles over the past couple of years that the cost of a college education is nearing the point where the benefits are no longer worth it.

If the government would cut back on the amount of loans it will give, less people will be able to afford to go. That will cause the universities to start losing money so they will have to bring down the cost of tuition in order to increase their student body numbers again. Universities are no different than a business.

So only rich people can go to school, then what is the incentive for a poor person to work hard if they can't afford a bachelors degree to make more money. So why try hard in school if they can't get any financial aid to support their education. Oh and yeah no defense spending cuts, even though we have enough weapons to blow up any country in 3 hours at worst. But NOOOOOO cut our people's means to better themselves.

So now people aren't making more money, meaning they spend less meaning business can't keep employees in their company, lays them off, more people become unemployed, can't afford to buy stuff, our economy collaspes.

People need to have the opportunity to have an education. Our economy depends on it. I mean its great for the republican party, its a known fact that less educated people vote Republican, but just like when you vote Republican, its very bad for our country's future.

Are you honestly suggesting that poor people can't afford to go to a Public library, get a free library card, check out books on topics they want to learn about, and read?

Wait, you are suggesting socialism? Thats totally un-republican of you!!! BOO THIS MAN!!!!

 

[Oddball]

Govt subsidies increase the cost of a college education? Please explain how that works.

Absolutely. When you subsidize something you get more of it. Do you realize how much money you can get in student loans? I just finished my Master's Degree back in December and I owe $70k in student loans and I didn't even take near the maximum that I could.

Nothing is bringing down the cost of education because the government will lend you just about what ever you need to go. Hence, universities can and do continue to raise their tuition every year. Watch. College education will be the next housing bubble. I've already read more than a few articles over the past couple of years that the cost of a college education is nearing the point where the benefits are no longer worth it.

If the government would cut back on the amount of loans it will give, less people will be able to afford to go. That will cause the universities to start losing money so they will have to bring down the cost of tuition in order to increase their student body numbers again. Universities are no different than a business.

Note that you never ever hear any mewling and hand-wringing from the left, over "price gouging" by Big Edumacation.

Gee...I wonder why.

 

[Skull Pilot]

Well, if you cut the Pell Grant, then you HAVE to maintain defense spending. More people will be forced toward the military in order to get work.

Good. Let them serve and earn their education instead of just handing money out.

 

[Claudette]

No because they love for the "poor and downtrodden" to go to school at someone elses expense.

 

[ShaklesOfBigGov]

Well, if you cut the Pell Grant, then you HAVE to maintain defense spending. More people will be forced toward the military in order to get work.

Good. Let them serve and earn their education instead of just handing money out.

The military is a great way to earn on the job training as well as having free education provided to you; whether it be electrical, air traffic control, or nursing. There are also benefits in finding career fields that offer additional education that benefits ( and is paid by ) your employer. Why does the first reaction by the left need to be "run to the government ... run to the government", like some Paul Revere 'Battle Cry' running through town? There ARE resources out there where someone can educate themselves, it's a question of - are you going to work hard and do what it takes to get there?

 

[gekaap]

Sounds like a great idea to me. All government subsidies have done is increase the cost of higher education at more than 4X the rate of inflation.

Citation needed.