Braley hears support for Pell Grant, education funding

CEDAR RAPIDS - The federal government must keep student loan interest rates low and continue to fund financial aid programs like Pell Grants as college costs rise, Eastern Iowa college officials and students said Thursday.

"We've got diminishing state and federal resources at a time when we need more" innovation, growth and adaptability, Kristie Fisher, vice president for enrollment at Kirkwood Community College, said during an open forum on higher education issues with Congressman Bruce Braley.

Fisher also urged Braley's continued support for student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, which Fisher called a lifeline for Kirkwood's neediest students.

About 40 people attended the open forum at Coe College in Cedar Rapids Thursday afternoon, Braley's second campus stop in a two-day tour of Eastern Iowa colleges and universities. Braley is a Democrat in his third term representing Iowa's First District.

Braley agreed with many of the speakers who voiced concerns about higher education access and affordability.

"We have an enormous challenge in front of us," in how best to provide educational opportunities to people throughout their lifetimes, Braley said.

The congressman noted that Iowa ranks third nationally for average student loan debt upon graduation, and that since 2000, average tuition at Iowa's public colleges and universities has risen 83 percent, while at private colleges it has increased 38 percent.

Braley this week introduced legislation that would indefinitely keep the interest rate for federally subsidized Stafford Loans for students at the current level of 3.4 percent.

Coe junior Chelsea Marlow, 20, is paying her way through college with the help of financial aid. Students have concerns about loans and grants, and many students work part-time jobs while going to school, which can impact how much attention they devote to their studies, she said. Most students choose a college based on how much financial aid they receive, she said.

"Students are obviously concerned about debt," said Marlow, a native of Anchorage studying public relations, communications and philosophy.

Coe President James Phifer, in introducing Braley, said he fears given the rising costs that continue to drive tuition up, "there's a train wreck ahead for higher education in this country." Phifer said a new structure for funding higher education is needed.