Fighting for "the least of these"

President Obama is tackling quite a few issues right now. Add Pell Grants and financial aid for college students to his list.

The private loan industry, as we have seen in recent months, has benefited quite a bit by loaning people money and charging high interest rates...and then has been bailed out by the government for fear that the debacle the loan companies created would be in an even bigger mess if someone didn't help them out.

Fortunately for the CEOs of these companies, their paychecks weren't the ones that were hurt. "Just last week, Sallie Mae reported that despite losing $213 million in 2008, it paid its chief executive more than $4.6 million in cash and stock and its vice chairman more than $13.2 million in cash and stock, including the use of a company plane. The company, which did not receive money under the $700 billion financial system bailout and is not subject to pay restrictions, also disbursed cash bonuses of up to $600,000 to other executives."

Unfortunately, the recipients of these loans haven't received as much grace.

Students who are trying to further their education cannot afford the loans or do not qualify. Others strap themselves with debt without a concept of what that will mean for them 10 to 20 years down the line.

Some of the kids I know have had to drop out because college is unaffordable. Some have switched from 4-year to community colleges hoping to have enough money to live, as well as go to school.

As the "big dogs" hire lobbyists and proposition Congress to see things their way, I'm very happy to know that someone at the top...the very top...is adovcating for the people who don't have the time, money, and access to advocate for their needs as well.

Making education possible

President Obama has continued to talk about and focus on education, despite his critics who say he should focus solely on the economy. I am glad that President Obama sees a much larger and further reaching picture than today's immediate needs. As a result, President Obama has pushed for expansion of the Americorps program.

AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program partnering with non-profit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based organizations that was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. More than 70,000 individuals currently join AmeriCorps annually, totaling more than 500,000 past and current members since 1994. The work done by these groups ranges from public education to environmental clean-up. ~Wikipedia

Americorps allows us to recruit people living in the neighborhoods and communities where we serve. There isn't a lot of pay attached...a small stipend each month and an educational award once the service hours are completed. But I have found that the people in the community *want* to be able to give back to their community. So often, jobs exist far away from their community so they are forced to travel to the other end of town to do something positive.

Americorps provides the opportunity for jobs within the community, as well as providing hope for paying for their education. I am so excited to know that not only is President Obama pushing for an expansion of the program to "employee" more Americorps members, but that the educational award will increase by $500 to provide $5350 toward an Americorps members' college education once they have completed their service hours.

I applaud President Obama's efforts and foresight....and I look forward to receiving more Americorps members to help us run our education programs at Central Dallas.

If you are interested in applying to the Central Dallas Americorps team (and/or would like to apply to work with our After-School Academy in particular), click here.

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Bill Tripling Size of AmeriCorps Heads to President's Desk

Washington — The U.S. House of Representatives gave final approval today to a bill that would expand the federal national-service programs by the largest amount in 50 years, sending it to President Obama for a signature.

The bill, recently renamed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (HR 1388) in honor of the longtime Massachusetts senator, would more than triple the size of the AmeriCorps program, to 250,000 slots, up from 75,000. The Senate passed the measure last week, and the House, which had earlier approved a separate bill, adopted the Senate version today.

The legislation would also increase, to $5,350, the education stipend that volunteers receive for each year of service, bringing that award in line with the maximum Pell Grant. Older volunteers could transfer up to $1,000 of their stipend to a child, foster child, or grandchild.

Finally, the bill would create, but not finance, a grant program to encourage service learning. As many as 25 institutions would be named “colleges of service” and would share a $7-million award, which would have to be appropriated by Congress. —Kelly Field

Cutting education to better our country

I'm sitting on my couch, reading this article in USA Today and my head is beginning to hurt. My brow is furrowed and I can't seem to make my face relax. I'm confused...befuddled...frustrated.

But as I began to write and think about..."How can a super-power country made up of wealthy people who gained their wealth and power by their intelligence not see the need for investing long-term in the education of our children????" it became a little clearer to me that my question was all wrong.

In one sense, the people at the "top" are intelligent. Many of them, I'm sure, have big name degrees and important titles. But, it is also many of those same intelligent people who are manipulative, greedy, and have created our demise. When they are inwardly focused, it's no wonder that they don't care what happens to the rest of our system and our children and the educated people of our future. From my point of view, it is a very self-serving set-up.

I know at this point, there seems to be no other way but to keep bailing people at the top out, hoping everything doesn't crash and burn. But I just can't see the rationale in contuing to provide funding (and bonuses!) to people who have created the failing system and, at the same time, require cutbacks from our schools.

Take to heart this information, pulled from Larry James' Urban Daily:

Last Friday morning Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert shared a horrifying statistical profile about our public schools and male students.

Consider 100 boys in public schools. . .

•32 will end up in prison. . .
•44 will graduate. . .
•Of those who graduate, only 4 will read at grade 12 levels and only 1 will be able to do grade level mathematics.

Is that really how we want our country to move forward??

However, it is the people who are affected by those statistics who I tend to believe might have the answers--people who have dealt with little for so long tend to have answers many of us have never thought about. They have innovation and creativity when it comes to making ends meet. They understand what happens when a system doesn't educate children adequately. Perhaps if we invested billions on the other end of our spectrum...the education of our public school children...the investment of technology in our low-income areas...offering unique opportunities to those who have not been given the chance to discover new interests...we might discover answers and solutions people who never had to struggle could never imagine.

Promising college

In San Francisco, there is a new promise for middle school students, "Qualify for college and you'll have a reserved seat as well as financial aid when you get there."

Despite the current economic crises, three middle schools are promising students who "sign the 'Save Me a Spot in College' pledge - and later meet entrance and eligibility requirements - will receive a fee waiver for two or more years at a California community college, as long as the student continues to show financial need."

Students who qualify for financial aid would be able to receive college funding anyway, but San Francisco sees it as an opportunity to provide "motivation as well as increased college-preparatory support through high school."

Right now colleges are cutting back on offered courses and admitting fewer students due to cash-strapped institutions. However, as they look forward, they are hoping to create the even bigger problem of having so many students qualifying for college that they will be forced to fix that problem.

I think anything that promises and guarantees a future in education is great. It's not a charitable act. The students would have to qualify (which can be a big task...and which is why I would hope the school system is stepping up to that plate). By providing the offer in junior high, kids have an opportunity to begin working toward their goals, not having to worry about finding the funding and figuring out the system....a daunting task for kids and parents who have no experience with the massive amounts of paperwork and small print it takes to get into college.

Wouldn't it be nice to offer that guarantee to all kids?

Helping negotiate the college system

Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, a charter school, has the right idea.

Just because students graduate from high school doesn't mean the high school is finished and the kids don't need anymore help. Guidance counselors at Metropolitan High School help former students navigate their way through the college system.

Sometimes kids need someone to answer the questions like, "Where do I go to get a textbook?" Sometimes they need someone to help them figure out why their financial aid went away and is no longer credited to their account.

We need more counselors like the ones at Metropolitan High School--people who will help streamline the process and create a communication line from the student to the school (whether it be community college, university, or trade school) and vice-versa. We need people who can answer what may seem like "simple" questions for those of us who have already been through college...but can be quite intimidating for a first-generation college student who feels like he/she is the only one who doesn't know what they're doing.

If this method doesn't work High-Tech High has another idea. "Almost every adult at the school serves as an adviser to twelve to fifteen students, meetinga t least weekly with the group and keeping each advisee for all four years."

Poor students and students of color have traditionally attended college at a much lower rate than White or Asian students...and many of their parents have not attended college either. So, for us to expect them to be successful at navigating the college process on their own--figuring out which student loans offer the better rate, what department to go to when needing extra financial assistance, how to pay your bills, and how to budget the student loan money--is a lot to ask. The ones who manage it, my hat goes off to them; it is a complicated process.

The students need a point person...someone they can trust to help them understand the process and answer their questions. Many of us had parents who helped us understand (or handled the process all-together). Many others don't have that.

I've often said we need a College Liaison in every low-income community just like we have Community Prosecutors. In addition to making it known that we prosecute community crimes, we need to be willing to offer long-term alternatives in a very visible way. We need someone who is committed to the community and willing to be that point person. And, in my opinion, just like the Community Prosecutor, it needs to be federally funded.

But, since that isn't on any drawing board that I know of, if we could re-tool public high school counselor's job descriptions and, first of all, turn them back into counselors (instead of test administrators), then equip them and charge them with being available for former students, we could provide a door of opportunity that some students don't realize can be available to them.

Anyone got connections to help move that dream forward?

Success...without my help

I'm sad, disappointed, and somewhat perplexed today.

I get excited about kids going off to college and am amazed by their perserverance and determination. I know they have so many dreams that they want to fulfill. But the complexities of poverty seems to keep getting in the way.

While some of the young adults I know are continuing to perservere in their college education, I have talked to three in the last few weeks who are not, for various reasons--all financially related.

Situation #1: Student decides to go to a private school. As she gets ready to enter her senior year, she can now no longer find no one to co-sign for her loan (because each semester she exhausts all of the loans that can be received in her name). She refuses to go any "less" of a university and insists on completing her private school education. Therefore, she is not enrolled in school this semester.

Situation #2: Student is going to a community college where financial aid takes care of his college expenses. Last semester he ended up dropping a class or two because the promotion he took at his job and the money associated with it became more important. This semester he is not going to school. He says it's financial, but refuses to tell me more.

Situation #3: Student is going to a 4-year university. He failed a class last semester. He said it wasn't like he didn't try, but the class was very difficult for him. Because he failed that class (in addition to getting low grades previously as well), financial aid would not pay for his classes this semester. They have told him he needs to sit out a semester.

I'm sure there are more situations...some that I don't even know about yet. Part of me is frustrated because they refuse to listen. I know that each of them have (or had) cell phones. I know that one bought a car and a "system" to go along with it. I know that one has an addiction to Jordan tennis shoes and always has nice, new clothes. I know that one works minimal hours, even when on school breaks.

Each have told me in so many words, "You don't understand," and none of them will explain to me what I don't understand. Each of them have decided that they will work this out on their own. I wonder if they play on the fact that they know "you don't understand" bothers me. I realize I don't understand their life--what it has been or what it is. But I also know that I have learned something about saving and spending money. I have learned stuff about how the financial aid system works.

I have read and heard what people say about how important "things" are to someone who hasn't had the opportunity to have a lot of "things" throughout their life. As people have told me, maybe it's easier for me to give up "things" because I've always had them. I know that each of the three I mentioned have had to go without things and make difficult decisions on what they get/don't get. I also know that each of them have contributed to making bad loans to friends and family with money they receive from financial aid.

I worry about them. I worry about their decision to buy shoes or pay for $50-$75/month cell phones and not understanding that every little bit they spend on "things" takes away from the money they need to survive, pay for college, etc. I worry that they will "make it," but that they will continue just "getting by." I worry that their "getting by" now will result in them becoming one of the statistics who don't ever complete college. I worry that the times I have helped them financially because I wanted them to have similar opportunities and access as other kids has really just been a bottomless pit that hasn't done anything to help...and may have even done some harm. They aren't like all of the other kids; their obstacles are often greater...but not impossible.

I don't know that there is any way I can help them because they will no longer allow me in. They don't always like what I have to say so I guess that's why they have decided they will figure it out on their own.

I hope and pray they do. I hope that their decision to figure it out on their own doesn't result in them being stuck in an endless cycle. I hope they go to wise people to find the answers they need. I hope they choose to access the many resources available in our communities, offered by so many non-profits (free classes such as budgeting, home-buying, scholarship opportunities, etc.--from what I've seen, most people often *don't* access these classes even when they say it's something they want and need...I have yet to figure out why.).

Recognizing when and how to let go.... boy, that's difficult.

Success is so much sweeter when it is accomplished without outside help. I pray that they succeed according to whatever standards they have set for themselves. I pray that they will ask for help if/when they need it. I pray that I will accept whatever they decide and will recognize the balance of pushing them and letting go.

Who does "doing good" benefit?

Ever look around and wonder how the people around you have so much and wonder why you have so little?

People always seem to have enough money to eat out, buy name brand clothing, have a cell phone, go to the movies, give their kids everything they ever wanted, and give their friends nice gifts. I can't figure it out. I'm a single person with no children. My frivilous expenses consist of the minimal cable package, Starbucks once or twice a month, and a few books from 1/2 price books. Yet, those "frivilous" expenses and my basic bills pretty much consume my entire paycheck.

So, how do other people do it?

From what I have finally figured out about some of my friends, there's a simple answer...credit and bad debts. Or in the "best" situation, they make credit cards payments each month (to the tune of 19% interest or more) or they have payday loans or buy at places like Rent-a-Center (to the tune of 40-500% interest...don't believe me?? I didn't either until I checked it out myself.)

I admit, sometimes I envy people who go out to eat every night and don't have to cook. I envy people who have someone come clean their house and take care of their yard. I have twinges of jealousy when people get bi-weekly pedicure massages.

The bottom line, though, is that many people are caught up in our culture of keeping up with the Jones's. Unfortunately, as we're trying to keep up with the Jones's, what we don't realize is that the Jones's are buying everything on credit and digging themselves deeper every day by paying sky high interest rates...all the while, their monthly income stays the same.

Our desire to have what everyone else has...to live the life everyone else does...keeps many people from ever getting ahead...and these days I'm feeling like I contributed to it.

Over the years I have a long list of bad loans I've made that were never repaid. In my mind, I was doing the "Christian thing" by lending people money. As I have begun to understand more about sub-prime mortgages, predatory lenders, payday loans, and credit, I'm beginning to think that my "good heart" and "good intentions" actually hurt the people I intended to help. Hmmm...I wonder if "good intentions" are actually un-Christian because they benefit me rather than the recipient??

Perhaps if I would've said "no" to some people over the years the person would've had to think about figuring how to stay within the limits of what they already had. Yes, it's true that many people have jobs that don't pay them a livable wage. Then again, some people don't have jobs (and aren't trying). By lending them money that they don't have, doesn't that create a "rob Peter to pay Paul" situation for them *if* they choose to pay me back?

I am amazed at how some people juggle their bills on the limited money they make. However, I also recognize that within whatever salary we make, we all have "extras" that we could do without--caller ID, cable, Starbucks, iPods, etc.

Finances are tricky. Everyone wants to keep theirs secret. My personal opinion is that we need to get financial literacy and general business classes into the high schools. But, until that happens, maybe the best strategy (rather than loaning people money they can't return) is to work with banks and non-profits to ensure that there are plenty of opportunities available for all kinds of financial literacy classes. Maybe these could be a start:

• Balancing a checkbook and creating a budget


• Saving up instead of paying out (to rent-a-center and payday loans and such)


• Planning for retirement


• Considering purchasing a car or a home?...don’t forget about the extra expenses that go along with it


• Planning for my child’s college education…the best way to save and receive financial aid


• Understanding the college loan process


• Beginning the process of cleaning up my credit

The college process: Unanticipated expenses

Getting a kid enrolled in college and getting them through the paperwork and processes is no small feat, but just when you think you're home free, all of the unanticipated expenses of actually getting them to the college and set up for college life rear their ugly head.

I know some parents plan years in advance for the moment their child will go off to college. Most families I know, too burdened down by trying to manage paying the rent each month, have never even thought about saving or planning for college for their child(ren).

Yet, when the kids decide to go to college, some parents rally to get them what they need, despite all of their other financial obstacles. Just a couple of weeks ago, as I was getting ready to visit a college student, a parent brought me some things she hadn't had the time or money to get for her daughter when she had first taken her to college. As we loaded the things into my car, we talked about the financial aid process that her daughter was still trying to figure out. She then said to me, "Janet, I didn't know college made you poor!" To which I replied something about how I had to downgrade when I went to college, too. She quickly corrected me. "I'm not talking about the kids, I'm talking about me!"

Despite her slightly above minimum wage job and despite her own mother being on disability and having health problems, the family still managed to provide their new college student with some of the things she needed to make her college experience like that of other kids. The whole family rallied. Mom and grandma provided a phone, bedding, toiletries, snacks, etc., aunt contributed some of the offices supplies like a stapler, tape dispenser, and those kinds of items, older brother took her to school. The school (thank goodness) has small refrigerators and microwaves already in the rooms so they didn't have to make that investment.

But then they have to buy books. Probably 75% of the students I have known have gone without at least one book during their college career (and most, as a result, made a "D" or an "F" in the class). They tried to beat the system and borrow a friend's book or check it out from the library because they didn't have enough money to pay for it. Taking 12 hours (which is the least you can take and remain full time) costs around $400-$450 just for books. Unless they go to a community college, students rarely have enough financial aid to cover books. Besides that, even if they do have financial aid, it often doesn't come through at the beginning of the year. Students are often forced to drop and re-sign up for classes when their financial aid is finally processed. Some students go without books for the first few classes because any extra money they might be receiving doesn't come through and they don't have the money to front the registration and book fees. (Those of you who have purchased books know that used books are cheaper, but have to be purchased early. It's a little difficult to do that when the money doesn't come through until 1-2 weeks after classes start. It's hard to save money when you're poor.)

There are other hidden costs that could be prevented had a student known that if he/she dropped below 12 hours they will lose certain grants...or that they have to maintain a certain GPA to keep scholarship money...or that if you drop classes, the school and financial aid will make you pay it back. Sounds commonsensical, but when you're 18 and figuring out the process on your own, people don't tell you these details and they often find these things out by experience...and often don't even know or understand the reason and don't ask the questions to figure out why they don't have the same amount of financial aid they had before.

Colleges are eager to get students in by offering them many different financial incentives. But I've noticed those incentives don't always continue past the first year. I also have heard this great new financial package by many colleges that offer "FREE" tuition. But that's the only thing they're offering. Tuition. It doesn't pay for books, room and board, or any of the other fees. It's not as free as it seems on the enticing news reports.

The more I work with college students, the more daunting the college process seems to me. I am thoroughly amazed and impressed with the kids around me who make the decision and have the stamina to go to college. Going through the hoops of attending without money is extremely challenging and exhausting! It would be so easy to give up.

I pray that they don't.

The college process: Financial literacy awareness

As I drove into Turner Courts the other day, a mother quickly got out of her car and flagged me down. She explained that her son went to a Christian college last year and is unable to go back because they say he owes $6500. She doesn't understand how this could have happened and why the school didn't say anything last year. Her impression was that he didn't need any loans or extra money because Pell grants would pay for his college (Allow me to debunk that myth!). She was also concerned because she recognizes her own credit is bad and she knows if his education depends on her credit, he will not be able to attend college. Not only that, now that he owes this money, he will probably be blocked from entering any other university (even a less expensive one) as well.

The way our system is currently set up, the most vulnerable in our society are getting bamboozled. The ones who do decide to put faith in the post-secondary education system are not given adequate information to help them successful maneuver through it.

True enough, no one is absolved of responsibility because of lack of knowledge. Each of us have a responsibility to know what we are getting into and it is our responsibility to weigh those costs (financially and otherwise). However, when a person doesn't know that they don't know...or don't know that they need to find out, the odds are quickly stacked against someone.

The entire college financial process is set up in a way that assumes people understand loans, know how to research interest rates, can afford some type of low-interest debt, understand payment options, have checking accounts and credit cards, and know where to go if they don't know or understand something. The people who are most successful in that system are people who are part of families that already know, understand, and function within areas of business, housing loans, and credit on a daily basis. The people I know are functioning in sub-prime mortgages (if they have a mortgage), payday loans, and juggling which bill to pay this month.

Unfortunately, it is not mandatory, as far as I know, for a high school student to go through a "general business" class as I did, that teaches them how to write checks, balance a check book, and understand "general business." Based on what I've seen, I think every school should make "General Business" a required, fundamental course. Kids should have to pass a hands-on class that help them get a bank account, learn about loans, grants, sub-prime mortgages, manage a credit cards, understand finance rates, make a budget, and prioritize expenses. It may not change their decision-making overnight, but at least people will begin gaining the knowledge to make wiser decisions.

Despite theirs and their parents lack of "general business" knowledge, students are still thrown into the college pool of grants and loans. I've noticed the colleges have taken a small step to educate students by requiring them to take an online, 10-minute course on loans before e-signing the paperwork. The course is actually pretty good, if you already have a basic understanding of loans. But to an 18-year old (or even a parent) who doesn't have the financial literacy knowledge, there needs to be a financial counselor and advisor available and assigned to them. The unfortunate thing is despite the lack of knowledge, if a person wants to go to college there really are no options but to just sign the loan agreements and move forward.

Financial aid people aren't always the most helpful...or the most concerned with a student's pocketbook and well-being. While I was at the college with one student, one of the financial aid people was apparently irritated at my numerous questions. I wanted to understand if the student *needed* the entire $4000 loan (in addition to the $3500 in Stafford loans and the $2000 in Work Study they had already qualified for) or if there was a more exact amount they could tell us (after all, why take out a loan on more money than you need???). The lady replied in a rather short tone saying that the student might get a $500 reimbursement check but "that's nothing." Who is she to say "that's nothing" when she isn't the one who will be paying that money back with interest??? Loans other than Stafford usually have a higher, accumulated interest rate. Why take out more and get yourself into greater debt later?

It really amazes me that there is so much talk about poor people "taking advantage of" the programs the government offers. Each student I've worked with usually gets their entire Pell grant and still has to take out the maximum Stafford loans (subsidized AND unsubsidized) and STILL has to take out more loans. I'm not a fan of charity, but I do believe in education. And I believe if we really want our workforce to be more educated, if we really value ALL of our children, if we really want to change the welfare system, then we have to start on the front end. We have to equip the kids in the schools and set them up for success by providing kids and families with easily accessible and non-threatening information that helps them obtain success.

Bestcollegebuys.com

One of my favorite websites is bestbookbuys.com.

I hate to shop, but I love good deals. Bestbookbuys allows me the best of both worlds. It puts everything at my fingertips. Once I tell bestbookbuys what I want, they tell me where I can get my book, starting with the cheapest place first. It doesn't just tell you the cheapest price of the book...it tells you the cheapest price including shipping and taxes (i.e. the hidden fees that vary from something like $.97 to $3.95...which can really change the price of your book!).

Wouldn't it be nice to have a website like bestbookbuys to help break down college expenses?

I must admit, I'm ignorant in this area. As I help kids enroll in college, I encourage kids to choose based on my knowledge that private institutions are extremely expensive, 4-year universities are next on the list, and 2-year colleges are the cheapest option. I guess I kind of assume that within those 3 categories, cost is about the same in each.

However, all things are not created equal, as I'm quickly learning.

Truth of the matter is, all of the costs are never really revealed until after our unexperienced-with-life college students get the bill. Maybe their original sticker price is pretty much the same in each category. After that, though, each school varies on how much they'll offer in grants and loans. Without very intense comparison shopping tactics and lots of direct questioning, the true cost and all of the facts aren't revealed.

So, what happens to these unexpereinced-with-life young adults who decide college is a viable path they want to take?

Here's my assessment of what happens: They decide to go to college. They apply for their financial aid. The college says they've received their college and financial aid application. The exact amount of financial aid they will receive in comparison to what they will actually owe is not necessarily revealed...certainly not if you haven't completely decided on that college. The college offers them several different grants (only for their freshman year, but they don't see that part of the clause). These grants seem to pay for most of their college expenses...except for books...and rent...and food (minor glitches that young adults on their own don't think about...and don't want to consider once they've set their mind on something). What students also don't factor in is that many of their grants are connected with their GPA. (Maintaining a good GPA is sometimes difficult for students prepared in "good" schools, let alone some of our low-income schools where A's and B's don't even translate to them passing the "minimum standards" of TAKS.)

I haven't figured out how to understand all of this and, because I am not their parent, it becomes tricky in contacting the financial aid office and in getting the student to tell me everything about how they're using their money, when they're filling out their forms, etc. Though I can talk to them about different strategies I think will help, it is ultimately up to them.
It sure would come in handy if colleges would give us all of the facts, publicly available in a website like bestcollgebuys.com. Students could enter their top choices and each college would pop up with their tuition, extra fees, food, rent, minus the grants the student has been offered over four years, and adding in the long-term cost of loans and interest rates...thus allowing students and their families (and those of us who guide and assist) to compare and make wise and educated decisions.

Anyone interested in dealing with some colleges and a lot of beauracracy to create that?? If so, let me know. I know some students who could really use the information!

Education for ALL

I've been hearing about free tuition to all of these Ivy League and other prestigious schools for a while now.

• Stanford offers free tuition to families making under $45,000 and those in the $45,000-$60,000 range will have their expected contribution cut in half.
• Harvard has now made their free tuition available to families making under $60,000
• Northwestern University (NU) is exploring different options to help families afford the tuition so students won't have to choose a community college over NU just because they can't afford it
• University of North Carolina (UNC) gives free tuition to those up to 200% of the poverty level
• University of Pennsylvania (U Penn) gives grants to those who make under $50,000

All of that is wonderful.

However, several factors in those offers really disturb me.

Students must be qualified. Every time I receive information about a new school doing this, I always pass it on to the teenagers I know. However, what I also know is that not one of the teenagers I know would qualify for these opportunities. The schools they attend haven't adequately prepared them.

I pass the information along to encourage the teenagers to work harder, knowing that there are financial options available. I want them to have hope. Unfortunately, though, several teens I know already have high ambitions. When I ask where they are going to college, everyone says, "UT!" Although I don't want to discourage their hopes, I recognize that making B's and C's at an inner-city school is far from what it takes to get into a competitive university like UT or any of the ones I mentioned above.

UNC offers free tuition to up to 200% of the poverty level. What kind of country are we that 200% of the poverty level is still poor???? What does that mean when we say that people making up to 200% above the poverty level still can't afford tuition?! What does that say about our outdated poverty guidelines?! And what are we (meaning you and I!) going to do about waking our nation up to the fact that minimum wage, poverty guidelines as they are now, and many other factors that affect the poor are outdated!

Universities are the ones taking up the slack. I think it's great that prestigious universities are taking up the slack for what the government continues to cut. However, first of all, not all universities can handle that kind of financial hit. NU recognizes that. They also recognize that many low-income students are not academically prepared. Those are the reasons why they have no firm commitments to paying tuition or enrolling low-income students right now. They are still trying to figure out a plan so that it will benefit low-income students--even those who aren't quite ready for ivy league rigor.

Second, why are the universities picking up the slack for something the government has done (and, in my opinion, should still be doing) in the past? If you'll notice, some of the more "common" schools that our kids would be more likely to attend are not on the list. Only the schools that have a lot of access to money...I would guess former alums who have money.

Aren't we a country that touts free education for all? Is that really true? Every year as I try to get teenagers enrolled in colleges, they all seem to need some kind of loan package because their financial aid doesn't cover their total expenses. Some of them have a hard time getting the loans because of their low-incomes combined with their parents' bad credit and things like that. Others are just scared to take out loans because they realize what financial burdens their families are already in and they have no desire to make financial burdens for themselves. What can we do to ensure that ALL students are allowed access to a post-secondary education if they so desire? I'm not talking individual generosity either. Though individual generosity is nice and kind and very much needed, it will never reach ALL students. There are too many other students not connected with generous individuals or non-profit organizations who may pay for someone's college education.

So, what are we going to do? How are we going to ensure that ALL children have access? That ALL children have opportunity? ...NOT just those who happened to be born into good schools and high incomes.