The Middle Class Will Pay

In “Kelsey Scott’s Texas Government Blog,” Thursday, February 10, 2011, in the article entitled, “Financial Aid Assistance?,” she refers to Dan Patrick’s “Middle Class Should Not Pay for College for the Poor,” posted Tuesday, February 8, 2011, on Texas Monthly.com where the article gives information about universities putting up to 20% of student tuition into a financial pool to assist students with financial need in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and student loan repayment assistance. On first thought, it does sound unfair when one thinks everyone should pay their own way. Both articles argue, “A student, whose family is paying tuition, shouldn’t have to contribute to educate another family’s child.” But, the fact is that everyone who pays property taxes is paying to educate somebody else’s child from Early Childhood through the 12th Grade. Basically, it is an agreement by our society that it is best that education is offered to all children rather to just the rich who can afford it. Through education, the playing field in the job world becomes more level.

In both articles, universities, in particular, were mentioned, but not community colleges. At community colleges, many students are no longer somebody’s child, but the non-traditional older student who has a low-paying job and family responsibilities. The student comes to a community college to earn a vocational certificate or degree, or a traditional degree to provide a better future for themselves and their family. What can make the crucial difference about whether this person succeeds is whether they receive financial aid which helps cover tuition, books, and some living expenses such as gas and babysitting money. This could also mean he/she does not have to work so many hours at their low paying job and concentrate on school more. It has been my observation that if a student receives more than enough financial aid and if their life situation permits, he or she will take one or two more classes a semester so they can finish sooner. Another point to consider is that sometimes someone is born into a family who receives welfare benefits, and this person wants out of this situation. Financial aid can give them the opportunity to get an education. Reality is that the middle class will pay, whether it is in financial aid or welfare benefits. However, financial aid is preferable because it is less money and of a more limited duration. It enables the student to get a better paying job, support their family in a self-sufficient manner, and become a better taxpayer. And students are held accountable to pay back their loans.

Happily, as of Tuesday, April, 12, 2011, the State Finance Committee voted to restore 90% of current funding of the Texas Grants program which is the main financial aid program at state universities and colleges according to reporter Robert T. Garrett “The Dallas Morning News.”