Collegian May 1, 1986 Gramm-Rudman cuts hit 80,000 Pell Grant Students AKRON, OH (CPS)-- Undergrad Laura McCafferty made it through this year at the University of Akron because she had a $950 Peli Grant. Now, if a letter she got last week proves true, she probably won't receive a dime of Pell Grant money next fall. McCafferty isn't the only one getting bad news this month as, for the first time in the Gramm- Rudman era, colleges deliver let ters outlining how much federal aid students can expect for the next school year. As many as 80,000 students na tionwide stand to get smaller Pell Grants or lose their grants altogether next fall, the American Council on Education (ACE) estimates. Officials blame the Gramm- Rudman budget-balancing law— which forced a cut of $154 million from the Pell Grant program already this year--and underestimated the number of students who would qualify for the program. If Congress does not approve a bill to give the program the need ed $215 million, about 500,000 students will receive reduced awards for next fall. No one, of course, knows yet just how bad the situation will be. In March and April, campus financial aid officers normally make tentative awards to_students who apply for aid for the next fall. The aid officers usually base the tentative awards on what each stu dent received during the current year. The U.S. Department of Education then makes the actual awards in May and June. But the Gramm-Rudman law, the budget shortfall and the Education Department's often erratic effort to calculate actual awards have deepened the uncer tainty - this year. "The whole timing of what the Education Department does is pitiful," sighs Paul Orehovec, aid director at the College of Wooster in Ohio. "We are asking if we can meet the needs of all our students," adds Jennifer Hantho, director of financial aid at Drake University in lowa. "We are not sure that we can." Kansas State plans to "help the neediest (students) first," explains aid chief Jim Upham, "But we have not identified those who will be cut off." Such uncertainty can havoc with students' plans. "I'll probably try to work more" to get through school, says Akron's McCafferty, who already holds a job in the campus work study program and delivers newspapers. She also has hopes that her fiance will be able to help her pay for school, and that Akron might find some other money to grant a loan to her. "I am trying to understand why such a drastic cut," McCafferty says. "That's a lot of money to make up." Although her financial aid package has not been finalized yet, McCafferty is planning on the worst case corning true. University Associate Director of Financial Aid John Pitts does not know if the school will be able to find money to replace lost Pell Grants for all its students. Pitts does estimate, however, that 776 students out of a total of 4,130 Pa recipients at Akron will lose their grants next fall. The Education Department plans to mail its official Pell Grant allocation letters in late Deferred grade policy REGISTRAR'S OFFICE-- Senate Policy 48-40 permits students to use deferred grades under certain circumstances. A revision to the policy for 1986 re quires students using this option to take specific action prior to ap proval of a deferred grade. The student must pick up a APPROVAL OF DEFERRED GRADE I REQUEST PERMISSION FOR A DEFERRED GRADE EMZ=EI FOR FALL 1".. SPRING : . SUMMER 19 INSTRUCTIONS I PERMISSION FOR A DEFERRED GRADE SHOULD BE REQUESTED PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE FINAL EXAMINATION PERIOD 2. STUDENT COMPLETES AND SIGNS THE TOP PORTION OF THIS FORM, OR A COLLEGE PETITION FORM 3 STUDENT OBTAINS CONCURRENCE AND SIGNATURE OF INSTRUCTOR 4 STUDENT OBTAINS SIGNATURE OF HIS/HER COLLEGE DEAN. DIRECTOR DIVISION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES. OR CAMPUS EXECUTIVE OFFICER 5 DEAN, DIRECTOR DIVISION UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES OR CAMPUS EXECUTIVE OFFICER DISTRIBUTES COPIES Behrend mascot Some members of the Behrend communi ty have expressed an interest in changing the Penn State-Behrend mascot. What do you think? A group of faculty, staff and students got together and now we need to know what you, the Behrend population, want. For example, should we keep the Cub, or key on Behrend's geographical location or something relating r ...... MO all MEP IND Answer this question and return form The issue has arisen that a new Behrend mascot should be developed: ❑ I strongly agree there should be a new Behrend mascot ❑ I agree that a new mascot would be a good thing ❑ The issue does not matter to me ❑ I disagree. We should keep the same mascot ❑ I strongly disagree. The Behrend mascot should never be changed May or early June, says spokesman Bob Jamroz. Colleges will be notified of how Deferred Grade Approval form in the college Registrar's Office 113 Otto Behrend Science Building. Permission for a deferred grade should be requested from the course instructor prior the the beginning of the final examina tion period. to the RUB desk by May 9 ❑ a student ❑ a faculty/staff member ❑ an interested reader Thank You! lam news 3 SENATE POLICY 4E40 APPLIES IMUIMEI MMIEMI;I MEUMETZMI DO NOT CONCUR E 3 CONCUR L=M[JMWMII SK.NATUTIE IDEAMOIRECTOPI DUSTCATAPUS EXECUTIVE OFFICER in consideration to Erie's history for a new mascot? Should we change the mascot or not? You can let us know by answering this one simple question and returning your response to the RUB Desk by Friday, May 9. Should results indicate you desire to rename the mascot, your Behrend Collegian will give you the opportunity to do just that. Thanks for your help. much they will receive for other aid programs by early May, he adds. in effect The course instructor must sign the form and indicate his or her agreement. Finally, the student must return the completed form to the college registrar's office for final ap proval and processing before the final exam period begins. MiMMI =IZMEI
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