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State Representative Joe Atkins

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100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
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For more information contact: Chris Shields 651-296-8873

Posted: 2007-03-12 00:00:00
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ATKINS' BILL INCREASES COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID

ST. PAUL - State Rep. Joe Atkins recently introduced bipartisan legislation allowing thousands more college students to receive financial aid and expanding awards for others. The bill would recommit the state to providing more need-based assistance.

"A college education can be a ticket to success," said Atkins. "Unfortunately, spiraling tuition increases are fencing many students out, particularly those in low- and middle-income families."

The legislation would recommit the state to need-based aid through the existing State Grant Program, with an eye toward helping over 70,000 students afford college. State investment in need-based aid has been slipping: The value of the average student's award has fallen 14 percent, in inflation adjusted dollars, in just five years.

Under Representative Atkins' bill, the state would reduce the share of costs that students are expected to cover and increase the overall amount of aid available to each student and their family. With these and other changes, the legislation would:

· Allow thousands more middle-income families to be eligible,
· Help lower-income students who are already eligible, and
· Help part-time students by increasing the size of their grants.

Atkins’ legislation has garnered support from private college officials as well as public institutions. "Without new state effort, the number of college graduates is forecast to fall 12 percent. Meanwhile, our economy will require twice as many graduates," said David B. Laird, Jr., President of the Minnesota Private College Council. "All Minnesotans will benefit if lawmakers act to keep college affordable for as many students as possible, by recommitting to need-based aid."

The Minnesota Private College Council, which includes 17 nonprofit private colleges and universities, is one of several supporters of increasing need-based aid. Another advocate is the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, which has described investing in the State Grant Program as the best way to increase access to higher education for tomorrow's workforce.

The bill is being heard in the House Higher Education Committee this week, and Atkins expects success. “This is too important to Minnesota families and to Minnesota’s future. Failure is not an option," Atkins said.

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