$2,000 Charge on Students Bill Will Be Heard Tomorrow!
Tomorrow at 10:00 am, the Arizona House Appropriations Committee will be voting on a bill that would require almost all Arizona university students to pay $2,000 toward tuition! This would require students that are already working, receiving scholarships, and taking on debt to come up with an additional $2,000 next year. Now’s the time to spring into action and tell Legislature to vote no on HB2675! Click here now to write your e-mail!
This bill was withdrawn last week in the House Higher Education Innovation and Reform Committee because of the emails and calls students made and with your support we can put this bill to bed for good. Make sure to share your personal story and tell them how much you are investing in your education through working hard at school, working a job, or taking on loans.
Tell the Arizona House to grow our economy, not our student debt and vote no on HB2675. Stop this back door tuition increase!
If you are available to head down to the Capitol tomorrow to show the State House that students are paying attention, please e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Students call on Legislators to ditch harmful mandatory minimum tuition bill
PHOENIX – Students at all three Arizona public universities are calling on legislators at the Capitol to reject proposed legislation that would make it mandatory for all students to pay $2,000 a year toward school without using any public funds to cover it.
HB2675 will make it mandatory for all students to pay $2,000 a year toward school, but without using any public or private funds to cover this amount. This means students couldn’t use grants, university scholarships, or tuition waivers to cover this amount. The only exceptions for this are athletic scholarships and nationally competitive scholarships.
“The only effect this bill will have is to limit access to our public universities and stunt Arizona’s competitiveness in the global marketplace,” said Dan Fitzgibbon, chair of the Arizona Students’ Association. “Students are already at the financial tipping point, and this bill will force many to consider leaving school or moving out of state.”
Work force projections show that by 2018, there will be jobs for as many as 2.2 million new workers with college degrees. On our current trajectory, we won’t make that goal—in fact we’ll miss it by 3 million workers. This bill will only worsen the situation by adding an unneeded barrier to a higher education.
The piece of legislation stems from the myth that students don’t invest in their higher education. However the total cost of attendance in Arizona, which includes tuition, books and fees, costs an average Arizona family 37 percent of its income.
Students are already saddled with a tremendous debt burden, and total student debt has already outpaced credit card debt.
The average Arizona undergraduate left school with more than $21,000 in debt, according to the Arizona Board of Regents.
“I really can’t afford for this bill to pass,” said UA senior Sara Olivo. “I’m already graduating with mountains of loans and credit card debt, and I’ll have to reconsider if I can afford to go to college in Arizona.”
Veterans are also harmed by the legislation. Last legislative session, a bipartisan group at the Capitol passed a bill granting in-states tuition for all honorably discharged veterans, signaling Arizona’s commitment to educating our nation’s veterans. But, HB2675 has no provision for the GI Bill and gives the negative impression that Arizona isn’t friendly to returning veterans seeking a higher education.
ABOR report shows Arizona in financial aid crisis
TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona students and families are facing a crisis in how to afford college, a report released by the Arizona Board of Regents Thursday shows.
“The report shows the stark reality facing students and families when it comes to financing a higher education in Arizona,” said Dan Fitzgibbon, chairman of the Arizona Students’ Association. “The universities are doing a great job with the resources they have, but we need more state support to really fix the problem.”
Student loans are the largest source of financial aid “awarded” to students. State-based financial aid only accounts for around one percent of all aid resulting in 47.5 percent of students using loans, which has increased 79 percent in the past 5 years.
Student loans are an enormous burden on students and families, Fitzgibbon said. Recent data from the Project on Student Debt shows that two-thirds of students graduate with student debt nationally. The unemployment rate for recent graduates is 9.1 percent, which makes it harder than ever to pay down debt. According to the report, the average debt for undergraduates is $21,158 and $44,918 for graduate students.
Graduate students saw the biggest increase in indebtedness. Graduate students at Arizona State University average $47,110 in debt.
Still, this is just the debt that the university system tracks and does not take into account private student loans that are not disbursed by Bursar’s offices.
The total cost of attendance is up, which is the real amount students and families pay for school. Alarmingly, there has been a 53 percent increase for students in the lowest income bracket. The increase translates to $2,227 for low-income students. The report shows that out of the 62,153 students who showed need, only 7,699 had their need completely met, while 13,322 students with no financial need were awarded non-need based aid.
“These are tough times for Arizona students because the total cost of attendance is skyrocketing without any additional financial aid support,” said Alisha Raccuia, ASA director and Pell Grant Recipient. “Students and families have paid their fair share – we need more state investment in financial aid so we can graduate more students who can contribute to our state’s economic recovery.”
Statement on the super committee and the Pell Grant
Students continue to call on Congress to support federal financial aid;
7,000 statements of support sent to Sen. Kyl Monday urging support for financial aid
PHOENIX – The super committee in Washington disbanded Monday without a deal on deficit reduction, which means the Pell Grant may be safe from cuts for now, but at the cost of other important federal financial aid programs.
The Arizona Students’ Association continued its campaign to save federal financial aid programs by delivering more than 4,579 signed statements of support to Sen. Kyl Monday, urging him and Congress to stand strong for students and families and support federal financial aid programs. To date, ASA has collected and sent 7,285 signed statements of support to Sen. Kyl.
“Education drives economic growth,” said Dan Fitzgibbon, chair of the Arizona Students’ Association. “Without these vital federal programs, we won’t be able to graduate more skilled professionals and get our economy back on track.”
Federal financial aid programs like the Pell Grant are particularly important to Arizona because the state ranks 49th in the nation for state-based financial aid and students saw tuition increase 39 percent in three years, making it the second largest tuition increase in the nation.
Because the super committee didn’t reach an agreement, the Department of Education faces billions in cuts. Still, the Pell Grant is safe for now, but at the expense of other valuable financial aid programs.
“Until we have a real state-based financial aid system, students like me will have to rely on the Pell Grant as the only way to go to school,” said Alisha Raccuia, ASA board member and Pell Grant recipient. “It doesn’t make sense to save the Pell Grant at the expense of other financial aid programs.”
In Arizona, 38,851 students receive a Pell Grant, data for the Arizona Board of Regents shows.
Have your voice heard about tuition & fees Monday!
Students, families and community leaders have an opportunity to have their voices heard on tuition and fees!
The Arizona Board of Regents is holding an interactive public hearing Monday, March 28 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on tuition and fees on a videoconference all over the state. This is the best opportunity for students, parents and community members to tell the Regents how increased tuition and fees will affect them. Attend the meeting Monday, so the Regents hear a strong voice from the community on tuition and fees.
The University Presidents released their tuition and fee proposals last Friday. Here is a brief summary of the proposals:
UA:
• Base tuition and fees will increase: $1,790
ASU:
• Base tuition and fees will increase around $1,562
NAU:
• Incoming freshmen base tuition will increase: $1,045
Where to attend:
ASU – Tempe: Old Main, Carson Ballroom
Arizona State University – West: University Center Building,
(UCB) La Sala Ballroom C
Arizona State University – Polytechnic: Student Union, Cooley Ballroom - B
Arizona State University – Downtown: Nursing & Health Innovation, Building 2, NHI2 Room 110
Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff: Extended Campuses/ AZUN Building #16A, Room 201
Northern Arizona University – Yuma: Academic Complex, Room AC 108
The University of Arizona – Tucson: Harvill Building, Room 211
The University of Arizona - Sierra Vista: Academic Technology Building, B138
For more information on the hearing e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Students, parents & leaders rallied on campus Wednesday and called on their legislators to stand str
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2011
Phoenix – Students, parents, and community leaders rallied on university campuses across the state Wednesday and called on their leaders to stand strong for education and to not support cutting university budgets by $235 million.
More than 1,000 students at the UA, NAU, ASU Tempe, ASU Downtown, ASU West and ASU Polytechnic participated in the rally against university budget cuts.
“The Governor and the Legislature must stand strong for higher education and balance the budget and protect the Arizona’s economy without dismantling higher education.” said Arizona Students’ Association Board Chair Elma Delic.
The Senate’s budget proposal seeks to cut university funding by $235 million, $65 million more than the cuts already proposed by Governor Brewer. If passed ASU will be cut $107 million, UA will be cut $92 million and NAU will be cut $36 million.
Students to rally against $235 million in cuts to university budgets
Students will rally against the proposed $235 million cuts to university budgets Wednesday, March 23 at all major university campuses. Students will ask their elected representatives to stand strong for education.
The Senate’s budget proposal seeks to cut university funding by $235 million, $65 million more than the cuts already proposed by Governor Brewer. If passed ASU will be cut $107 million, UA will be cut $92 million and NAU will be cut $36 million.
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
ASU Tempe: 11:50 a.m.
UA: 11:30 a.m.
NAU: 12:00 p.m.
ASU West: 11:30 a.m.
ASU Polytechnic: 12:15 p.m.
ASU Downtown: 11:00 a.m.
WHO:
Students at Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University
Speakers TBD
WHERE:
ASU Tempe: North of the Memorial Union
UA: Alumni Plaza (in front of the Administration building)
NAU: In the Pedway (East of the Student Union)
ASU West: Fletcher Lawn
ASU Polytechnic: SU West Patio
ASU Downtown: Taylor Mall
State Senate Votes to Cut Universities by $235 million
The State Senate voted Wednesday to cut the universities by $235 million and slash community college budgets by $72 million. They also voted to permanently repeal the state two-to-one match to the Arizona Financial Aid Trust(AFAT), which is the Arizona’s sole state-based financial aid.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to e-mail their Senators. Nearly 500 people sent their Senators a message telling them not to cut higher education by $235 million. The e-mails had a strong impact at the Capitol - Senators noted the e-mails were the first messages from constituents they received about this issue.
Still, the fight isn? over! Next, the budget goes to the State House. We must continue to show our elected officials the devastating impact these cuts will have on our universities. We have to stand united to ensure these cuts go no further!
Keep up the pressure on the Senators who voted for these cuts, but please take a moment to thank the members who voted with students against cuts and to keep state-based financial aid.
The Senators who voted with students are:
Senator Aboud: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator Cajero Bedford: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator Gallardo: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator Jackson: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator Landrum Taylor: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator Lopez: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator Meza: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator Schapira: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator Sinema: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senator McComish: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Stay connected to ASA for more alerts as the budget process continues.
Follow ASA on twitter @azstudents
Like our Facebook page at goo.gl/Wp3MN
Students, Advocates Call on Senators McCain and Kyl to Reject Cuts to Education, Pell Grants
PHOENIX - As the U.S. Senate began negotiations to stave off a federal government shutdown, representatives from the Arizona Public Interest Research Group and the Arizona Students’ Association were joined by Moriah Costa, a Pell Grant recipient at Arizona State University, Regent Fred DuVal the Vice-Chair of the Arizona Board of Regents, and Craig Fennell the Executive Director of Student Financial Assistance at ASU to urge the Senate to protect vital investments to college aid and focus their spending on other cuts.
The House-passed spending resolution makes deep cuts to the Pell Grant while largely leaving in place wasteful subsidies and tax loopholes for special interests. Pell Grants are the Federal governments’ cornerstone financial aid program that 9.4 million college students rely on each year to pay for the college courses that are fueling our recovering workforce and economy.
“Tough choices are supposed come only after the easy ones,” said Serena Unrein, Arizona PIRG’s Public Interest Advocate. “It’s unbelievable to imagine how cuts to Pell Grants happen first in a recovering economy. And yet, that’s exactly what the House resolution does.”
The cuts slash the maximum award a student can receive by $845, a little more than 15 percent, for the students who can afford it the least. Next school year, a student currently receiving the $5,550 maximum award would see their aid dropped to $4,705. Because of the severity of these cuts, the average Pell award will drop $785 while 1.7 million students would lose access to their grant entirely.
In Arizona, 555,000 students will receive a Pell grant next year. Should the House spending plan become law, our state will lose $319 million in Pell funding, a cut from $1.74 billion to $1.42 billion.*
“State cuts to higher education have increased tuition, pushing more costs onto students themselves,” said Elma Delic, Board Chair for the Arizona Students’ Association. “Any cuts to Pell funding now, especially in Arizona where state-based financial aid is lacking, will push thousands of students already at the tipping point out of school completely.”
“After graduation I plan on working to make my community better,” said Mariah Costa, a Pell recipient at student at ASU. “If my Pell Grant is cut I will be forced to face some very hard decisions, including dropping out of school altogether.”
Education drives economic growth. Eighty percent of the fastest growing jobs in America demand training above a high school level. Current estimates show America needs 22 million more degrees by 2018, however we are on pace to be 3 million short because of high college costs.
In the current economy, 43 states have already cut funding to higher education, pushing more costs onto students themselves. Rising costs will prevent over three million college qualified students from low and moderate-income backgrounds from getting a degree this decade. Pell Grant funding must be maintained in order to deliver the skilled workers our economy demands.
“State cuts to higher education have put a strain on our ability to train a skilled and educated workforce,” said Regent Fred DuVal. “Cuts to federal aid would surely set Arizona on the wrong path to economic recovery.”
Arizona PIRG has helped identify over $600 billion in spending reductions over 5 years that have support across the political spectrum. The spending reductions detailed in our report amount to more than the reductions called for in the House passed resolution.
“Rather than cutting education and risking the health of our workforce and economic recovery, Congress should focus on other low-hanging fruit,” Unrein said. “We urge Senators McCain and Kyl to vote against any budget extension that includes cuts to Pell grants.”
District and State Pell information can be found here:
http://www.naicu.edu/special_initiatives/federal-student-aid-awarded-in-arizona-state-wide-and-by-congressional-district
Additional information on education cuts in HR 1 can be found at:
http://www.studentaidalliance.org/saa/What’s%20at%20Stake%20HR1.pdf http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3405
* Proprietary school data is counted in the state of the businesses headquarters. All University of Phoenix students are counted in Arizona.
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Regents Side with Students!
After robust conversation, the Arizona Board of Regents decided today to direct Regent staff and the universities to work with students before setting tuition and fee policies in April.
This means students will not be shut-out of the tuition and fee setting process.
Regent Ginther was a steadfast advocate for students today at the meeting. On behalf of Arizona students, we thank her and all the Regents for deciding to give students a voice in the tuition and fee setting process.