Heard on Campus - Currents

Heard on Campus...

Q: What do Pell Grant cutbacks mean to you and your fellow students?

A: "Pell helps people who don't have the money for tuition, books or supplies. A lot of people won't be coming back to school. One class costs $300, and one text book is at least $50 more. That's a lot of money that some people don't have. They might not be able to go to school, or it'll take a lot longer to do what they have to do (to earn a degree)."

Olufunmilayo Menawonu, 20,
nursing student

A: "I'll be transferring next year, where I'll need it more (at URI). A lot of people will have to work more or eliminate school completely. I don't think you should cut back grants and sacrifice the future by cutting aid. We spend $90 million in Iraq and cut taxes, but then they cut grants for education."

Joseph Kasegian, 27,
English student

A: "They shouldn't cut the Pell Grant. Students are our future. We should watch our future and encourage it in any way we can. Cutting back (on Pell grants) isn't the way to do that."

Joan C. Hudson, 58,
retired elementary educator,
music student