ACCESS MISSOURI NEWS

March 6: Access Missouri Funding Faces New Attack!

The House Budget Committees substitute budget proposal would slash $13 million in funding from Access Missouri, which is our states primary need-based financial aid program for working and low-income families.

Under the substitute budget proposed by House Budget Chairman Allen Icet, $9 million in money previously earmarked for Access Missouri scholarships would be transferred to the Bright Flight scholarship program. The remaining $4 million would be used to fund the foundation formula for K-12 public schools.

Here’s the rub: Access Missouri is the primary need-based grant program that helps make college affordable for financially deserving students. Access Missouri recipients already only receive 78 percent of the statutory maximum award due to budget shortfalls. This means that a student attending an independent college or university who is eligible for the maximum Access Missouri Award is only getting $3,590, representing a cut of $1,010. Under the proposed funding scenario, the award amounts would be even lower.

We need you to take action TODAY! The House Budget Committee is expected to vote on the budget proposal the week of March 15.

Call or e-mail committee members TODAY and tell them you oppose the proposed budget cuts to need-based financial aid. Access Missouri must be protected for students of working and low-income families. Please also send a copy of your e-mail to your own state lawmakers to remind them that Access Missouri is important to you. Talking points are available on the Keep Me In College Web site at www.keepmeincollege.org/help.html

 

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