THE UNIVERSITY DARYI KANSAN MONDAY, OCTOBER 1. 2007
NEWS
3A
》 NATION
Bill eases financial strains of college
BY SASHA ROE
sroe@kansan.com
College may become a more realistic option for students thanks to a new law signed by President Bush last Thursday. The College Cost Reduction Act will increase the amount of Pell Grant scholarships and reduce interest rates on subsidized student loans. The act will also reward students in education and public service areas.
"This is huge." U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kansas) said, "So many students have been deeply worried about the amount of debt after college."
The new law will increase annual Pell Grants — need-based federal grants given to low-income students — by $490 next year, and $1,350 in the next five years. Also, more students will be eligible for Pell Grants because of an increase in the income limit of $20,000 to $30,000. The intent is to give more students assistance with college costs.
The law will also decrease interest rates of federal student loans. Boyda said interest rates would be cut in half over the next four years from 6.8 to 3.4 percent.
"More students will have access to the American dream," Boyda said.
Boyda encouraged students to check out the savings for themselves. She said the committee on education and labor's Web site had a link to a calculator at http://edlabor.house.gov/college/. She said students could find their state, enter their college costs and see how much they would save.
The bill will pay for itself by cutting federal subsidies paid to companies that offer student loans. It is the largest single investment for college students since the 1944 GI Bill that helped veterans returning from World War II. Boyda said the cost
of higher education became a huge problem and worry for both students and parents.
Deputy Director of University Communications, Jack Martin said a little more than 40 percent of University students had some type of student loan. Martin said the reduced interest rates provided by the new law would be a great benefit to those students. He said the law worked well with the University's Four-Year Tuition Compact that provides a fixed tuition rate for incoming freshman. Martin said students would have a better foundation to work with knowing their college costs. Chancellor Robert Hemenway couldn't be reached for comment, but in a University press release he said the new law and Four-Year Tuition Compact complemented each other and helped students plan for college financially.
"This matches up nicely with our efforts to bring more predictability to college costs through our Four-Year Tuition Compact." Hemenway said in the press release.
The act will also reward students in the areas of education and public service with the tuition assistance program. Boyda said teachers, nurses, firefighters and other public service workers would have their loans forgiven after 10 years of service in areas or subjects of high national need.
"We have a desperate need in Kansas for people to go into these areas," Boyda said. "But a lot of young people don't because they don't pay very well."
The College Cost Reduction Act is estimated to aid Kansas college students with $282 million within the next five years.
Edited by Kaitlyn Syring
5K run funds scholarships for children of injured active-duty service members
BY COURTNEY CONDRON
>> AIR FORCE ROTC
ccondron@kansan.com
Air Force ROTC raised $900 Saturday for children of disabled, imprisoned or missing service members with a 5K run.
The AFROTC honored the service members with a "Physical Training for a Cause" run and cookout. The 22 students who ran asked friends and family to donate money to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund along with donating themselves. The AFROTC commanders and physical fitness center also attended.
"We come out here and have fun, and we enjoy it," Britton Hufford, Holton sophomore, said. "it's going to help some needy people, and that's the goal of our organization."
Garrett Kohl, Olathe senior and cadet wi room commander, said he asked his roommates and family to donate money, and then matched it himself.
"We are all learning to be better leaders and officers," Kohl said. "This is a way for us to give
Runners chose to wear either a ribbon for a certain person who they wanted to honor, a ribbon that honored "all who serve" or one for the Air Force.
back to the community and help out Lawrence and the nation."
Jared Anderson, Topeka senior ran for Sergeant Phil Dyer, a member of his neighborhood, who is deployed in Afghanistan.
"It's awesome that we raised close to $1,000," Anderson said. "It shows the drive and determination that these people have, and the sacrifices they make. This isn't normal for a college kid, and it's nice to be a part of it."
The AFROTC used the Saturday morning run as a replacement for one of its weekly 6 a.m. workouts.
"It's a good opportunity to take what we do routinely and use it for a good cause," Stephanie Langley, Leavenworth junior and public affairs director, said.
The money donated to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund helps provide scholarships to children of active-duty service
members who were permanently disabled in the line of duty, are currently prisoners of war or are missing in action.
"We like that it helps education; that's always a good idea," Tyler Fry, Derby junior and director of special projects, said.
"These are all people who didn't do anything wrong, but are going to have less money, because a lot of it is going to have to go toward medical bills and things like that."
- Edited by Meghan Murphy
From left, Veronica Hoskinson, Burton senior, Spencer Anderson, Overland Park junior, and Charles Weniger, Stillwell senior, enjoy themselves during the Air Force ROTC 5K RUN and barbecue Saturday at Broken Arrow Park in Lawrence. The run raised money for the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund.
Anna Faltermieier/KANSAN
IRAQ WAR
Battle casualties include al-Qaida fighters
BY STEVEN R. HURST ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD — U.S. and Iraqi forces killed more than 60 insurgent and militia fighters in intense battles over the weekend, with most of the casualties believed to have been al-Qaida fighters, officials said Sunday.
The U.S. Embassy, meanwhile, joined a broad swath of Iraqi politicians — both Shiite and Sunni — in criticizing a nonbinding U.S. Senate resolution seen here as a recipe for
splitting the country along sectarian and ethnic lines.
U. S. aircraft killed more than 20 al-Qaida in Iraq fighters who opened fire on an American air patrol northwest of Baghdad, the U.S. command said.
The firefight between U.S. aircraft and the insurgent fighters occurred Saturday about 17 miles northwest of the capital, the military said.
The aircraft observed about 25 al-Qaida insurgents carrying assault rifles — one brandishing a rocket-propelled grenade — walking into a
palm grove, the military said.
"Shortly after spotting the men, the aircraft were fired upon by the insurgent fighters", it said.
The military did not say what kind of aircraft were involved but the fact that the fighters opened fire suggests they were low-flying Apache helicopters. The command said more than 20 of the group were killed and four vehicles were destroyed. No Iraqi civilians or U.S. soldiers were hurt.
recent months, including the recent killing of the Tunisian head of the foreign fighter network in Iraq and the blows struck in the past 24 hours," military spokesman Col. Steven Boylan told The Associated Press.
"Coalition forces have dealt significant blows to Al-Qaida Iraq in
Iraq's Defense Ministry said in an e-mail Sunday afternoon that Iraqi soldiers had killed 44 "terrorists" over the past 24 hours.
The ministry did not further identify those killed, but use of the word "terrorists" normally indicates al-Qaida.
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
"Women in Politics Career Stories"
Please join guests Karen Marangi, a Washington, D.C. lobbyist, and Amy Blankenbiller, President and CEO of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.
Women's Lobbyist Panel 4pm, Wed. Oct. 3rd
Dole Institute of Politics
Everyone is asking you about your post-grad plans.
TEACHFOR an incredible answer.
TEACHFORAMERICA All academic majors. Full salary and benefits. www.teachforamerica.org
KU ON WHEELS LOGO CONTEST
WE NEED A NEW LOGO FOR KU ON WHEELS AND SAFERIDE. MAKE LOGOS THAT WILL BE PART OF KU HISTORY!
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
- DESIGN A LOGO FOR KU ON WHEELS, SAFERIDE, OR BOTH
- FILL OUT A REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE OR AT THE KU PARKING AND TRANSIT OFFICE
- SEND IN YOUR LOGO VIA CD OR EMAIL
- VOTE ONLINE FOR THE TOP LOGO!
October 1,2007
WE'VE GOT NEW BUSES, WE NEED A NEW LOGO, BRING A NEW LOOK TO KU ON WHEELS
ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE OCTOBER 3 AT 12:00. EMAIL TO KUONWHEELS@KUEDU OR BRING A CD TO THE KU PARKING AND TRANSIT OFFICE. VOTING IS OCTOBER 8-12.
Questions & Answers with Queers & Allies
CHECK OUT WWWKUONWHEELSKU.EDU FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION
Anything and everything you've always wanted to ask about the gay community but were afraid to ask.
7:30 Tues. 10/2 Jayhawk Rm-Union
Got a question?
We've got the answer.
funded by:
SENATE
PAID FOR BY KU
Making A Difference: A Gathering of Student Organizations
Join the Commission on the Status of Women for a discussion of gender in student organizations and planning a service project for Women's History Month!
October 16th, 6:30pm English Room-Kansas Union Refreshments served! CSW
$ \textcircled{4} $