HOW DID YOUR OHIO REPRESENTATIVES & SENATORS VOTE?

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (PL 110-84)

This bill was hailed as the largest federal investment in higher education since enactment of the GI Bill.

• It reduced payments to lenders and cut the interest rate on subsidized student loans in half—from 6.8% to 3.4% over a four-year period.


• The bill increased investments in grant aid for the neediest borrowers by increasing the Pell Grant maximum award.


• The new TEACH Grant program which helps prospective teachers pay for college and a new loan forgiveness program for public sector employees were created.

Higher Education Opportunity Act (PL 110-315)

• This bill proposes to increase Pell Grant awards and Perkins loan limits, in an effort to help the neediest borrowers.


• The bill also imposes new requirements on participants in the private student loan programs, to be sure that students and families are fairly treated while seeking these increasingly necessary funds.


• There are many new programs in the bill, including several that foster access to higher education by providing counseling and other supports, including financial literacy education.

Ohio College Tuition Facts

Ohio Financial Aid Facts:

Ohio offers some options for paying for college, including both academic and need-based aid. These are all state offered programs for Ohio residents that attend Ohio schools.

• Ohio Instructional Grant - Provides need-based tuition assistance to full-time undergrads from low and moderate income families. Can receive $78 to $5,466.


• Ohio War Orphans Scholarship - Awards tuition assistance to the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans.


• Regents Graduate/Professional Fellowship Program - Merit-based financial assistance to Ohio baccalaureate graduates who enroll for graduate or professional study at participating Ohio colleges and universities. $ 3,500 per year for 2 years.


• Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program - Up to $ 3,000 per year for 4 years for students enrolled at least half-time in an approved Ohio nurse program.


• Ohio Academic Scholarship - Merit-based financial assistance awards $ 2,205 per year for 4 years.


• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship – Merit-base aid, recognizing exceptionally able high school seniors who show promise of continued excellence in postsecondary education - $ 1,500.


• Ohio Student Choice Grant - Provides financial assistance to full-time students enrolled for in Ohio private non-profit colleges and universities. $ 1,002 - Ohio Private Colleges & Universities Only.


• Student Workforce Development Grant Program - $ 300 for Ohio Private Career (Proprietary) Colleges & Universities Only.

Cost of Tuition:

According to the National Center for Education, Ohio residents will spend approximately $6,561 in just tuition fees alone. This is an estimate of all colleges and universities in Ohio.

Estimated Cost of Ohio Universities (room and board included):

• Ohio State—$8,376 per semester


• Miami University of Ohio—$10,442 per semester


• Kent State—$4,215 per semester(not including room and board)

Links:

http://www.easyaid.com/ohio-financial-aid.html

http://www.dhe.mo.gov/ppcindex.shtml

http://www.columbiabusinesstimes.com/683/2007/08/11/mu-tuition-funding-increases-both-exceed-inflation-rate/ ---Columbia Business Times, Fall 2008