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Thursday February 1, 2001

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ASA asks lawmakers to increase financial aid fund

By Eric Swedlund

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Faculty, TA salaries also high on student group's agenda

PHOENIX - Arizona college students are pushing state lawmakers to double the state's contribution to need-based financial aid.

The Arizona Financial Aid Trust Fund is the only state-funded financial program for need-based students. The fund takes one percent from each student's tuition, and the state matches the money.

Paul Peterson, Arizona Students Association executive director, said the group has worked with state lawmakers to develop a bill that would increase the state's contribution from one percent of tuition to two percent.

"The cost of education continues rising, and the form of aid is switching from free aid to loans," Peterson said. "This is an opportunity for the state to help students who definitely need it."

Half of the money in the trust fund is retained each year, and half is dispersed to students for need-based financial aid.

Peterson said more than 18,000 students have received a total of $16.6 million over the course of the trust fund's 10 years. The number of students receiving aid has increased each year, and Peterson said close to 3,000 students will get the aid for next year.

This year, the fund gave about $2 million in free aid to needy students.

"The state has not created a lot of programs where need-based students can

get free aid," Peterson said. "This is a positive program."

Ben Graff, Associated Students of the University of Arizona president, said the bill was initiated by the ASA board and is widely supported among students.

"Financial aid is one of the top areas we really strive for," he said.

Graff added that the students often leave universities not because of irresponsibility, but for financial reasons.

"Any lower-income student would hopefully be helped greatly," he said.

Sen. Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, said ASA approached him with the bill, and he decided to sponsor it because the reasoning was sound.

"If we're going to have the students prepare for the new economy, we want to help the students with financial needs," Bennett said.

Peterson said that in addition to Bennett, Reps. Roberta Voss, R-Glendale,

Jim Carruthers, R-Yuma, and Meg Burton Cahill, D-Tempe, are behind

the legislation.

"I think there is going to be some positive support," Peterson said.

Peterson said the request for additional funds is small compared to funding needs for other state government operations.

"This is not a very large appropriation," Peterson said. "It is a way to increase support on a smaller scale in comparison with other agencies."

Other issues on the ASA agenda for this legislative session are faculty and graduate teaching assistant salaries, building renewal, technology, professional advising and research, Peterson said.

ASA will hold its annual legislative conference at the State Capitol on Feb. 20. The conference is free and offers workshops and lunch with legislators for university students around the state. Game show host Ben Stein will give the keynote address.