Monday, March 3, 2008

UPDATE - Hearing March 6th 3 pm on competing Bill to Students' Merit Aid Bill

A competing bill to our student led effort for a scholarship program (see blog item below) has been granted for Thursday, March 6th at 3:00pm. This bill HB 384 seeks to create a merit based scholarship task force.

We need your help. The students in Alaska need you stand up for them and say "enough!"

The creation of a task force is unnecessary and only delays necessary action.

Highly respected education organizations have already done the research.
They have found that:
• A 2007 report from the State Higher Education Executive Officers
found that a $1,000 difference in the price of college may impact college enrollment for the most financially needy students by as much as nine percent.
• A 2007 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education report
determined that for every $160 in increased tuition, low income enrollments dropped by .5 percent in four year, public institutions and by
2.3 percent in community colleges.
• An internal University survey found that the number two reason why
students dropped out was because of financial reasons.

Furthermore, the state’s high school graduation rates are among the lowest in the country. The National Center for Education Statistics reported that Alaska ranks 42nd in high school graduation rates at 60.7%. More students will be encouraged to graduate by providing the promise of a postsecondary education. Most student want to move on to postsecondary education but do not think it is within their means and so do not strive to achieve.

It has been shown that the rising cost of an education is changing the perception of affordability among our elementary and middle school students and their parents. It is at these ages that students and their family decide whether their future holds a college education.

For students approaching their high school graduation, the cost of a postsecondary education is the most important topic discussed by the student and the family. It is unfortunate that students do not move on to higher learning because of the cost.

The research has already been done. We have consulted ACPE, relevant research groups, and state legislators. We cannot delay another year.

THE HEARING WILL BE ON MARCH 6 at 3:00PM AND YOU CAN GIVE TESTIMONY AT YOUR LOCAL LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION OFFICE.