Editorial: College grants get stringent guidelines

Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999 | 9:25 a.m.

Pell Grants, the federal funds given to eligible students from low-income families, have offered hope to those who often wouldn't be able to attend college without financial aid. Some students receiving Pell Grants last year obtained as much as $3,125. But starting next year students who receive these grants -- and later drop out -- will have to repay half of that portion that wasn't used for their tuition. When the rules were first proposed earlier this year, critics said it would set in place an unrealistic formula that didn't account for expenses not covered by the grant, such as books and supplies.

The American Council on Education fears the new rule issued by the Department of Education will not only hurt dropouts, but it also will discourage low-income students from even trying to enter college. This could place students in an untenable position. If they didn't have enough money in the first place to attend college, it's difficult to believe they suddenly will have the funds available to pay off this new debt.

The underlying premise of a grant is that it doesn't have to be repaid. Requiring a repayment of a grant should only be done if it's determined that the student wasn't serious in his pursuit of an education. If not, promising students who come from families with low incomes may forgo college if they believe not making the grade could result in digging themselves a deeper financial hole.