Kerry vs. Bush: Higher Education
by Dmitry Rashnitsov
The Metropolitan
 Although
topics such as the war in Iraq, terrorism and health care may be taking
up much of the spotlight, both President George W. Bush and Sen. John
Kerry have not forgotten about college students’ concerns.
An issue that has sparked controversy is President Bush’s education
legislation, called No Child Left Behind, which Kerry voted for in 2001.
The legislation originally included student loan program proposals to
make college more affordable for students and their families with reduced
interest rates for student loans, increased student loan limits, and expanded
repayment options.
“George Bush wants to allow everyone the opportunity to go to college,”
said George Culpepper, a senior political science major who is working
on the Bush campaign.
Some feel No Child Left Behind will only benefit the banks giving out
the student loans.
“Right now, there is $12 billion in student loans given by banks,”
said Nathan Pitman, co-president of the Democrats of Auraria. “John
Kerry will help to eliminate subsidized loans and open a competitive bidding
process.”
This will help students get a better repayment rate, Pitman said.
“President Bush wants to make sure that students who are about
to enter into higher education are well prepared for higher education
and the workforce,” said Danielle Robinson, vice chair of the Colorado
Federation of College Republicans and member of the Auraria College Republicans.
Robinson said she feels the No Child Left Behind legislation is being
properly funded but more can be done to ensure that every child has a
chance to further their education.
Kerry’s higher education proposal is rooted in a national service
campaign. Under the plan, students who commit themselves to at least two
years of community service will be entitled to $4,000 toward college.
“John Kerry wants to expand the AmeriCorps program,” said
Andy Davis, a spokesman for the Kerry campaign. “Students will be
able to work, teach or volunteer in their community to earn money for
college.”
The two-year commitment will be completed after the student is done with
their schooling, Davis said.
 The
Kerry campaign has said before that, if elected, Kerry would help pay
for his higher education proposals by rolling back the tax breaks President
Bush has given to wealthy Americans, and would overhaul the student loan
program by forcing banks to compete for student loans.
In terms of grants and scholarships, President Bush has expanded many
programs since he has taken office.
The president’s 2005 budget proposes to increase funding by $4.1
billion for the Pell Grant program, which provides money for college to
low-income students.
“More than 10.3 million students will be able to afford college
under President Bush,” Robinson said. “There is currently
$73 Billion in financial aid assistance.”
John Kerry strongly backs grants and tax credits as well, Davis said.
“Kerry is a big supporter of the Pell Grant program,” he
said. “Tuition tax credits for students are at the heart of Kerry’s
proposal.”
Also, the president has proposed establishing a new public/private partnership
to provide up to $5,000 each to 20,000 low-income students who study math
or science.
Kerry has said he wants to increase funding to the No Child Left Behind
legislation by $27 billion. He has also said he plans on offering aid
to states that are able to keep the tuition low at their in-state colleges
and universities.
Another legislation issue is voucher programs, which allow students to
attend any private high school with tax money from the state.
Culpepper said he believes that the president will extend the voucher
program to higher education so students can choose to go to private universities
with public funding.
Kerry voted against voucher programs in 1997.
“My biggest concern is not Bush getting re-elected, it’s
John Kerry getting elected and students having a harder time getting into
college,” Robinson said. “ John Kerry wanting to fund higher
education will mean raising our taxes in order to pay for all these ‘plans’
that he has, but he hasn’t told the American people yet.”
Angie Knepell, co-president of the Democrats of Auraria, disagrees.
“John Kerry focuses on people who don’t have the tools in
place to succeed,” Knepell said. “Bush doesn’t fund
anything, he just talks. Kerry will actually walk the walk.”
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