brought to you by the ASU WebDevil and the State Press

Student grant money legislation shows promise

By Carol Dwyer
State Press

A new bill that could increase grant money available for students at ASU, Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona cleared its first legislative hurdle Tuesday.

An increase in funding to the Arizona Financial Aid Trust Fund (AFAT) was approved by the Public Institutions and Universities Committee. The bill still has to be brought before the House of Representatives and the Senate before it is passed into law.

"The point of the bill is to provide more financial aid to students," said Arizona Student's Association Executive Director Sam Leyvas. "We're trying to do our part to reduce the amount students have to pay."

A current trend in college financing reflects an increase in families taking out loans and a decrease in grant-based aid. Furthermore, American students since 1990 have borrowed as much as the total volume for all of the 1960s, '70s and '80s, according to an ASA report.

In the Arizona university system alone, the average debt for undergraduates has nearly doubled in only a five year period.

To help alleviate cost, the majority of undergraduate students nationwide maintain jobs while enrolled in classes.

"I work 25 to 30 hours a week," said education junior Ginger Grubbs. "I think there is more ASU can do, I think they offer a lot (of financial aid) but not many people know what steps to take."

Although the trust fund is not a huge source of financial aid, an increase in funding would help out some students with their college financing.

Presently, AFAT is funded partly through a surcharge students pay at registration, equal to 1 percent of all registration fees. The Legislature is required by law to then match the amount raised. The new bill proposes that the Legislature could exceed this amount, thus increasing money in the fund.

Both in-state and out-of-state students are eligible to receive aid from AFAT because funding comes in part from students.

"This is a good bill for students because grant money will be more available for students in the future, provided by the state," said ASASU President Jenny Holsman.

Carol Dwyer can be reached by email at cdwyer@imap4.asu.edu.