Education is important.
As college students, most of us recognize the validity of this statement. Whether we came to ASU because our parents conned us into it, we came to the conclusion that our chances for a acquiring a job were dependent on a college degree, or we legitimately wanted to pursue knowledge and the college experience. We know that education is vital in today’s society.
Arizona lawmakers, on the other hand, fail to see the significance of education. Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, introduced a bill that would require all full-time students to pay at least $2,000 toward their education. The bill exempts students who have a full-ride academic or athletic scholarship.
Kavanagh was prompted to introduce the bill after hearing ASU President Michael Crow speak at the state capitol in February 2011, The Arizona Republic reported. Crow told legislators that a group of ASU students had received enough grants, scholarships or financial aid to completely cover their tuition. In theory, these students weren’t paying a dime for their education, and Kavanagh didn’t think that was fair in these hard economic times.
In reality though, these students worked hard to receive scholarships and financial assistance, or are agreeing to pay back expensive loans after they graduate.
If passed, HB 2675 could affect thousands of lower-income students.
The key notion – the notion that Kavanagh fails to see - is that lower-income students who work hard academically qualify for financial aid. They aren’t cheating the system. They simply deserve the assistance because they’ve shown a strong desire to learn but can’t afford costly tuition.
Isn’t this bill backwards? Lawmakers should be trying to help lower-income students. Instead, they seem intent on jeopardizing their future.
“Giving away free university tuition to those other than academic or athletic scholars is bad policy and an unnecessary burden on taxpayers” during these bad economic times, Kavanagh told The Arizona Republic.
What message are lawmakers sending to students? That working hard on the football field is more rewarding and honorable than excelling in the classroom? Don’t get me wrong, student athletes are extremely worthy of special recognition and support, but no more than a student who shines in the classroom.
Granted, Kavanagh makes an exemption for merit scholars who have a full-ride academic scholarship. However, students who have other types of scholarships – whether based on academics or need – do not receive the same exemption.
What is the difference between a full-ride scholarship and one of a smaller nature? Students qualify academically for both types. Even need-based scholarships and grants have minimum academic requirements.
“This is an awful idea… It is basically setting up another barrier for people with a lower socio-economic status. We need to be headed in the direction of providing more education access, more educational opportunity,” Sen. David Schapira, D-Tempe, told The East Valley Tribune.
Kavanagh is jeopardizing our education and our future. What are we going to do about it?
Reach the columnist at eeeaton@asu.edu.
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