Washington students received a mixed message with regard to financial aid this week.
On Monday it was reported at the state level that more Washington college students who qualify for state grants based on financial need are being denied.At the federal level, it was noted int he media that students are expected to experience bigger and better grants.
According to Washington’s Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) more than 15,000 students who qualify for the state’s largest financial aid program, the State Need Grant, did not receive a grant this year. This is three times the number in previous academic years. The reason there is more demand than there are funds.
At the federal level the story appears to be much less gloomy. An estimated 8.4 million students, approximately 617,000 more than last year, are expected to receive federal Pell Grants in the 2010-11 academic year. In addition, the average student will likely see an increase in the size of their Pell Grant, approximately $220 more.
In addition to the increase in both the size and number of available Pell Grants, eligible students will have access to other grants. On July 1, the federal government will launch the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, which awards $5,500 to any college student whose parent or guardian died while serving in the armed forces in Iraq or Afghanistanafter 9-11.
Finally, the federal government will continue to award Academic Competitiveness Grants of $750 to freshman and $1,300 to Sophomores who qualify for Pell Grants and get good grades in rigorous courses. SMART grants will also continue with a payout of $4,000 to upperclassmen who qualify for Pell Grants and have earned at least B averages while majoring in science, math, or in-demand languages.
Though this appears to be good news on the surface, funding reductions to higher education institutions nationwide will likely limit the improvements to the Pell Grant and other financial aid programs as tuition increases and states find themselves with large funding gaps in state scholarship and grant programs.