2008 Woodie Awards
Governor Blunt touts plan to increase state scholarship funding
By: Brittany Whitlow
Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: News
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Public and private colleges across Missouri might see an increase in state scholarship money, thanks to Gov. Matt Blunt's plan to merge the state's two need-based scholarship programs into a new program called Access Missouri.
"In order to make college a more affordable and attainable goal for Missouri students, we provide more opportunities for scholarships," said Sen. Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood) in a March 15 press release.
Senate Bill 389, introduced Jan. 29, by Gibbons; Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) Sen. Norma Champion (R-Greene County) and Sen. Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph) would combine the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program and the Missouri College Guarantee Program.
The bill is currently stalled in the state Senate due to controversy surrounding the use of funding from the proposed partial sale of assets generated by the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, which is also included in SB389.
The two current programs will receive $27.5 million in state money this year, but next year's plans for Access Missouri include increasing state funding to more than $72.5 million over the next three years.
"This increase in financial assistance will make it possible for more students in Missouri, whether they attend a state university, a private college or a community college, to afford a degree and graduate without debt," Gibbons said.
In the 2005-2006 school year, 768 Webster undergraduates received $1,044,314 through the Charles Gallagher Program and 96 undergraduates received $116,600 through Missouri College Guarantee, said Jon Gruett, Webster's director of financial aid. Gruett said he won't know how much money Webster students will receive with Access Missouri until he sees the final product. Still, he remains optimistic about Blunt's plan.
"Any time we can get students money, that's a good thing," Gruett said. "We always wish there was more money to get them, and if his effort to combine those two programs does that, that will be a good thing, too."
"In order to make college a more affordable and attainable goal for Missouri students, we provide more opportunities for scholarships," said Sen. Michael Gibbons (R-Kirkwood) in a March 15 press release.
Senate Bill 389, introduced Jan. 29, by Gibbons; Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin) Sen. Norma Champion (R-Greene County) and Sen. Charlie Shields (R-St. Joseph) would combine the Charles Gallagher Student Financial Assistance Program and the Missouri College Guarantee Program.
The bill is currently stalled in the state Senate due to controversy surrounding the use of funding from the proposed partial sale of assets generated by the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, which is also included in SB389.
The two current programs will receive $27.5 million in state money this year, but next year's plans for Access Missouri include increasing state funding to more than $72.5 million over the next three years.
"This increase in financial assistance will make it possible for more students in Missouri, whether they attend a state university, a private college or a community college, to afford a degree and graduate without debt," Gibbons said.
In the 2005-2006 school year, 768 Webster undergraduates received $1,044,314 through the Charles Gallagher Program and 96 undergraduates received $116,600 through Missouri College Guarantee, said Jon Gruett, Webster's director of financial aid. Gruett said he won't know how much money Webster students will receive with Access Missouri until he sees the final product. Still, he remains optimistic about Blunt's plan.
"Any time we can get students money, that's a good thing," Gruett said. "We always wish there was more money to get them, and if his effort to combine those two programs does that, that will be a good thing, too."
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