Of the many provisions in the economic-stimulus plan recently passed by the House of Representatives and currently being deliberated in the Senate, a few in particular - increases in federal student-aid programs, extra assistance for researchers and funding for campus infrastructure - are designed to assist students and schools, and for those we should be grateful.
While some question the merits of including programs with long-term benefits into an immediate-jolt economic-stimulus package, the aid increases will immediately benefit students, the research funding will allow important science to continue and the ongoing construction projects means that many will stay employed during the recession.
Although it's yet unclear exactly how many of these dollars will reach Penn and Penn students if the stimulus is passed by the Senate, the plan is a commendable move for higher education. Pell Grants, which will increase by $500 under the proposed plan, used to cover 50 percent of a student's costs at a public institution; now they cover only about a third. 5.4 million students received a Pell Grant last year. And because Pell Grants are available based on income level, recipients are typically lower-income, making them most vulnerable to the economic conditions. Stafford Loans will also provide a necessary cushion for middle-income students, who will likely have a tougher time procuring loans due to credit freezes. Keeping all students in colleges through the recession will help ensure a better economy in the future.
We hope that the Senate passes the stimulus package quickly.
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