Though a majority of Boston University students do not receive Pell Grants, many students said President Barack Obama’s inclusion of higher education funding in his budget proposal, for both Pell Grants and other aspects, is a positive move.
Obama’s proposal would tie federal Pell Grants to inflation for the first time in their history as part of the new budget. The maximum federal Pell Grant awarded will increase from $4,730 to $5,550 as of July 1 due to the stimulus bill passed Feb. 17. This immediate change and the attachment to inflation will help low-income students finance their college educations, but some BU students said they think the effects of such a change may not be enough.
The change may not help at an expensive private school such as BU, School of Management senior Lawrence Reger said.
‘It seems like a drop in the bucket compared to $40,000 a year,’ Reger said.
The Pell Grant increase will not likely affect many BU students because not many have the grants, BU spokesman Colin Riley said.
‘Pell Grants only affect a percentage of students,’ he said. ‘It’s good news for students who do have [them]. Pell grants have not been fully funded [in the past].’ Increasing access and fully funding these grants is really beneficial.’
Although it is uncertain how the changes to the budget will affect BU students, the fact that it addresses the needs of college students is positive, Riley said.
‘There seems to be a lot in the budget for higher education,’ he said. ‘Any aid is good news.’
College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Charlie Cox said he was mostly optimistic about President Barack Obama’s plan to award more financial aid to low income students through his budget proposal.
‘It is important to promote education,’ Cox said. ‘It’s how you create a stronger generation for the future.’
School of Education freshman Jessica Moskowitz said she does not think the money will affect many BU students, but she is glad that other college students will be receiving more financial aid.
‘It probably won’t affect me,’ she said. ‘But it’s great for people who need it. I guess incoming students will be more inclined to apply to schools they normally wouldn’t apply to because of financial reasons.’
College of Communication senior Liz Iannotti said she hopes Obama’s policies will help more students go to school.’ However, it should only go to the students who really need it.
‘I don’t know if it will transfer well into the little bubble we live in, but I don’t care if it [goes to] BU,’ she said. ‘It’d be nice to see it somewhere people need it more.’
