Why the Federal Budget Discussions Matter Federal Financial Aid Programs Could Be Cut for the Year

“Every child must be encouraged to get as much education as he has the ability to take. We want this not only for his sake -- but for the nation's sake. Nothing matters more to the future of our country: not our military preparedness -- for armed might is worthless if we lack the brainpower to build a world of peace; not our productive economy -- for we cannot sustain growth without trained manpower; not our democratic system of government -- for freedom is fragile if citizens are ignorant." Jan 12, 1965 Lyndon Johnson

Congress Must Annually Pass a Spending Bill to Fund Federal Programs Learn more at d=18643

Congress HAS NOT Passed a Final Budget Bill for the 2011 Year. They are also debating the budget for the 2012 year. Programs are being funded through a “Continuing Resolution” which will expire on April 8, 2011

House of Representatives’ Proposal H.R. #1 would: cuts the Pell Grant maximum by $845, kicking out 1.7 million students from the program, and lowering grants for the remaining 7.5 million low-income student eliminates funding for the Supplemental Educational Grant Program, cutting an average of $736 from 1.3 million students.

Do You Think These Programs Are Important? “The strength of the United States is not the gold at Fort Knox or the weapons of mass destruction that we have, but the sum total of the education and the character of our people” Senator Claiborne Pell

The Senate’s Proposal Focuses on maintaining current funding for the Pell Grant Program Ends the new “Year Round Pell” Program – For more about Year Round Pell Eliminates the interest subsidy for federal GRADUATE student loans.

If you feel these programs are important, consider joining the “Save Student Aid” Movement

"If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the highest return." - Ben Franklin

What Can One Person Do? Join the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' Save Student Aid Facebook campaign at ! Ways you can help are: Like the page Make the page one of your favorites Invite your Facebook friends to Like the page Tell your story in the Discussions section

Contact Your Elected Representatives and Tell Your Story Check our website at for information on contacting members of Congress. YOUR VOICE MATTERS !

Are You Registered to Vote? We encourage our students to participate in the electoral process as it is critical in living a life as "men and women for others“

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

“Education - lifelong education for everyone - from toddlers to workers well advanced in their careers - is indeed an excellent investment for individuals and society as a whole.” - Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman, September 24, 2007

"A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." - James Madison

"Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." - Article 3 of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 (Congress)

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