Students plan for alternate funding

All areas of state funding were recently affected by the 10 percent across the board spending cut initiated by Governor Chet Culver.  The cuts are the result of an attempt to balance the state budget in the wake of a serious shortfall in state revenue.  Higher education funding was included in this cut, resulting in a reduction in the Iowa Tuition Grant (ITG).

The announcement of the cut in funding came from the Iowa College Student Aid Commission which administers the grant program.  Buena Vista University (BVU) students were notified in email from President Moore that the ITG was cut by $435 for a full time student for this spring semester.

The cuts have come as an unwelcome surprise for many BVU students.  

“I am a recipient of the Iowa Tuition Grant and I really counted on that money to help make college more affordable for me. I understand our economy is suffering and jobs are few and far between, but how does the government expect us to get a quality education and be able to obtain jobs to stimulate the economy, if they are taking away the funds that are aiding us in paying for our education?” junior Kim Petrich said.

Students affected by the cut in the ITG that are currently employed in the work-study or academic assistantship programs are encouraged to speak with their supervisors and ask if additional work would be available for them.  The award could be increased to a maximum of $400 per student if the Office of Financial Assistance verifies the student’s eligibility.

“I will probably go for the extra work study money that is being offered, but that means I will have to work a lot more hours to actually get that money, so I just have to hope that the extra hours will not interfere with my classes and other responsibilities,” Petrich said.
Those students who cannot get added work through their current placement may stop by the Office of Financial Assistance before Dec. 17, and have their name placed on a list of students seeking extra work.  Any further funds earned will be applied to the student’s BVU account to cover the lost ITG funds.

Many BVU students are coming up with other ways to make up for the money that was cut.  Senior Kelsie Knudson plans on taking out separate loans and work more in the summer to pay for the books that the grant money paid for.

Supplementary student loans may also be available for those students who been affected by the cut in ITG funds.  Students may stop at the Office of Financial Assistance for an individual review of their eligibility.

Students are encouraged to call or mail their elected representatives to express appreciation for past support of the grant by sharing how it helps to finance their higher education.  The BVU campus community is also urged to contact Members of the General Assembly to request consideration of future legislative appropriation of funds for the ITG.