Short-shrifting public universities of financial aid hurts students most

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March 31, 2015 - 12:00 AM

Up until now, student financial aid from the state was split 50-50 between public and private universities. Baker University, for instance, received as much as Pittsburg State.
As of last week, however, that’s all likely to change.
In a meeting of the Kansas Senate Ways and Means Committee, members approved skewing the formula to favor private schools.
Of next year’s $15.7 million pot, more than $13 million would go to private institutions, creating a balance of 84 percent private, 16 percent public.
About 82 percent of Kansas students attend public universities. The needs-based grants max out at $1,500, but under the new formula private schools will be able to award grants of $3,500. Public institutions, however, will continue to be held to the $1,500 award.
In all, it will mean 3,500 students will be denied financial aid hitherto provided by the state’s six Regents universities and Topeka’s Washburn University.
Some say Sen. Tom Arpke’s motive behind proposing such legislation is his purported dislike of public education. Arpke, R-Salina, is chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and has Kansas Wesleyan University in his district.
Supporters contend encouraging more students to attend private schools would save the state money, a most specious argument.
The cost of the grants pale in comparison to the return they bring by keeping our university system thriving. Universities are enormous economic engines for the state; they create thousands of jobs, make massive investments in buildings and infrastructure and bring untold prestige.
The grants are also of a much higher value to students wanting to attend a public university. The average tuition for one year at a public university in Kansas is $6,676 a year compared to $20,338 for a private college.

BOTH KINDS of schools benefit Kansas and should receive as much support as possible. But to skew the aid so disproportionately seems punitive, at best, if not outright vindictive.
— Susan Lynn

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