4 - THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16,2003
STUDENT LOANS
Lower interest rates assist students with school costs
By Maggie Newcomer mnewcomer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
During his four years at the University of Kansas, Chris Walla has accumulated a mountain of student loan debt. The architecture major said there was no telling how much money he would make after he graduates in May 2004, and he did not know how long it would take to pay back his loans.
"Anything to help make the payments lower would be great," said Walla, Colorado Springs, Colo., senior. "I've got a lot of loans right now."
Walla said consolidating his loans and taking advantage of record-low interest rates was an appealing payment option.
As of July 1, the interest rate for borrowers who are already repaying loans dropped to 3.42 percent, according the Office of Student Financial Aid. The interest rate for borrowers who are still in school is 2.82 percent.
Stephanie Covington, assistant director of financial aid, said consolidating debt allowed students to make one lump payment instead of several payments to different lenders. She said students would end up paying less because combining the loans would lower the minimum required payment.
Covington said student loan applications at the University were up 8 percent from last July.
"That could be because of interest rates, or the rise in tuition, or both," Covington said.
KU students' loans are processed through the Direct Loan Servicing Center, a division of the U.S. Department of Education. Because the office performs an annual audit in January, Covington said there was no way to tell how many more students were consolidating loans at this time.
Covington said the first step for students seeking loans at the University was to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Covington advised students to keep track of their loans and know how much they would owe once they graduate.
— Edited by Richard Gintowt
CIVIL RIGHTS
Committee seeks dialogue between city police, citizens
By Ehren Meditz
emeditz@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The Douglas County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union unveiled plans for a police relations committee during its public meeting last week.
The Community/Police Relations Committee will be made up of volunteer members to examine resident complaints against the police as well as hear positive comments.
Mary Davidson, president of the Douglas County ACLU, said the committee would be independent of the ACLU and any other body.
Rick Trapp, sheriff of Douglas County, attended the event. He said he supported a dialogue between the police and the community, but had concerns about the new committee.
Trapp said a public forum was not the best setting for investigating complaints. He said the police department had an internal affairs division that responded to complaints thoroughly.
A news release handed out at the meeting said the committee would not try to resolve specific problems, but rather bring issues to public discussion. It also said the committee's independence of the police department would provide an outlet for individuals who felt intimidated by the police force.
James Owen, vice president of the University of Kansas School of Law chapter of the ACLU, said the police in attendance were receptive and understanding.
Owen said the committee would be productive with feedback and openness from the police.
— Edited by Richard Gintowt
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