PSU Prepares for potential cuts

Plymouth State University is preparing for a possible change in financial aid, particularly in Pell Grants, that could affect about 21,000 students in the state of New Hampshire. Plans are being put into place to attack the situation if budget cuts are made.

On Saturday, February 19th, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, a bill that could drastically affect the amount of federal financial aid that students receive through the Pell Grant.  This budget cut would take the maximum award amount given of $5,550 to $4,705, deducting $845 from the amount that each student eligible for this grant could receive.

When questioned about their opinions on how Plymouth State would react to the issue of the possible Pell Grant cuts in accordance with our enrolled students and school wide funding, Vice President of Student Affairs, Richard Barth, and Director of the Financial Aid Team, June Schlabach had much to say.  VP Barth emphasized the fact that the school is definitely taking the budget cuts seriously and looking for various options that will help facilitate the needs of families with financial aid.   

"We're already planning on a significant cut as far as how do we create efficiencies on campus through going paperless, through not hiring vacant positions, things like that.  We're going to do everything in our power to protect the financial aid program and hopefully not have to increase tuition," said Barth.

Schlabach was very reassuring with the fact that the Financial Aid team wants to help out as much as they can in communicating any changes in tuition or grants for current and incoming students. "The resources are there, but it's the type of resource.  We, of course, feel that the neediest students should be served by some grants so they are not graduating with outstanding debts that they are likely going to be struggling with once they get out of school."  

Both VP Barth and Director Schlabach were also concerned with keeping current students enrolled.

VP Barth mentioned that no faculty should be cut, though resources within certain programs may be looked into to see how the school can be more effective in what and how they use them.  Various boards, made up of students and faculty, are currently looking into proposals to protect students and keep any personnel from losing their jobs.

Elyse Sedgley, founder of Students4Sanity, marched this week in the HUB to inform the PSU community about the drastic increases in tuition along with the possible cut for the Pell Grant and other programs.  

Sedgley commented, "If students don't stand up for the protection and salvation of these programs, they will be cut and our future will ultimately bear the brunt of the government's poor spending choices."  

The Students4Sanity group will be rallying on April 15th in Concord to voice their opinions on the federal cuts.  Any student who wants to join their movement can join their Facebook group, "Students for Sanity" online.

Where the school actually stands in respect to this budget cut and how it will affect Plymouth State entirely, is still unknown.  Any final decisions or actions will be addressed after the school learns more about what will be happening with this bill in late June or July of 2011.