Should colleges give any need based grants?

x90
Tue, 06 May 2008 19:59:21 +0000

A bit late, but…

I hate how some people expect low-income students to just buckle down and settle for the CC, even though they may be incredibly gifted. Those advocating strictly for loans really need to learn to see things in perspective, and how intimidating loans can be can be to low-income students, no matter how brilliant. I’m “poor” and I live in NYC, but thanks to funded grants I have been able to take a few community college courses, and the general feel is almost identical to my high school—academically confining.

Need-based aid is, by far, one of the best ways to bridge the gaps between low-income students and upper class students. It really is counter-productive to just lump loans on the poor, don’t you think? I’m grateful to have received a grant to attend college, otherwise, I would’ve seriously doubted going. And even then, I have to work (two jobs since january) to try to fill in the remainder of the tuition. I don’t think it’s “entitlement”, as some would obnoxiously put it, but it’s a way to try to make the playing field as leveled as possible. It’s also a very enticing way to garner students who, otherwise, might reevaluate a college education, from a CC or a university.