Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eCampus News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

Experts split: Are FY11 student aid increases enough?

One financial aid expert said Pell Grants would have to be doubled to increase the number of degree-holding Americans.
One financial aid expert said Pell Grant amounts would have to be doubled to increase the number of degree-holding Americans.

President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget includes $156 billion in student aid, a second consecutive increase in Pell Grant funds, and a lower cap for student loan repayments—but financial aid officials said the proposals fall short of policy changes that would make college universally accessible.

The president’s budget, released Feb. 1, raises Pell Grants from $5,500 to $5,710. The Pell Grant program would see a $17 billion increase under the administration’s plan; Obama boosted Pell Grants by 13 percent in his fiscal 2010 budget. The budget calls for linking Pell Grant increases to the annual inflation rate plus 1 percent, making the maximum Pell Grant nearly $7,000 in 10 years.

The administration’s student aid package marks a 60-percent increase since 2008.…Read More

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FY11 budget would boost research funding, student aid

President Obama's 2011 budget proposal increases student aid by 60 percent since 2008.
President Obama's 2011 budget proposal increases student aid by 60 percent over 2008 figures.

Research university officials praised President Obama’s fiscal 2011 budget proposal, which includes more funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Pell Grant program used by nearly 9 million college students this year.

The higher-education funding increases were tempered with a proposal that could shrink campus coffers: High-income taxpayers would be able to deduct less from charitable donations to colleges and universities if the budget is approved by Congress.

The proposed federal budget increases funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) by 8 percent, or $7.4 billion for fiscal year 2011. The funding increase would grow NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship program and the Faculty Career Development program, according to an NSF announcement. Both initiatives train college students and new educators in scientific research.…Read More

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