Students across the state voiced their excitement Monday over the investments made to higher education in the economic package to be signed into law by President Barack Obama today.
According to the United States Students Association Legislative Director Angela Peoples, the students of
Peoples added both Associated Students of Madison and Wisconsin Student Public Interest Research Group were represented in all direct lobbying, and added that both groups endorsed making higher education more affordable for students.
“The strategy was to get a bunch of student government presidents asking for these provisions, so we did that across the nation, which is why we were so successful,” WISPIRG campus organizer Samantha Gibb said. “On campus, one of the [WISPIRG representatives] met with Brittany Wiegand and recognized that making college more affordable is something she totally supports.”
The package invests $17.1 billion in Pell Grants to provide greater educational opportunity to low to middle-income families and students.
According to the Rich Williams, higher education associate for the Student Federation of State Public Interest Research Groups, the investment will nearly double the current operating budget over the next two years.
The House and Senate also agreed to make an educational tax credit that is 40 percent refundable so students without a high tax liability or no tax liability at all will still be able to receive $1,000 back to go towards their higher education.
“This was extended for the first time to cover textbook supplies,” Williams said.
The student groups are also applauding the House and Senate for deciding against increasing the amount students can borrow from federal loans.
Williams added loan limits contribute to increased student debt that in the long-run keeps students from taking socially important jobs, such as teaching.
Higher student debt also causes a delay in home purchases and in getting married, he said.
Williams noted that a total of over $30 billion is being invested in higher education to keep students in school during these rough economic times.
“All in all, this is an incredible investment into higher education, and students across the country are incredibly excited about it,” Williams said.
Peoples added the stimulus package is the largest investment in higher education the nation has seen in a very long time.
“It really shows that the federal government and the officials understand that educating our students and keeping people in school and having an educated workforce is one of the main ways we are going to be pulled out of this crisis,” Peoples said.
